Salmon Creek Chevron Car Theft: Suspect Sought in Cross-Border Auto Heist

A car left running and unoccupied at a Chevron station in Salmon Creek, Washington was stolen within moments after an unknown man climbed in and drove off. The Clark County Sheriff's Office is now seeking help from the public to identify the suspect.

The vehicle was recovered in Portland, but no further details were provided about the suspect or the make and model of the car. The sheriff's office shared a Facebook post asking for help identifying the suspect, who can be contacted by emailing Deputy Holly Kipp at [email protected] with reference to case number 26006130.

The theft highlights a common problem in the area: cross-border auto theft between Southwest Washington and Multnomah County. Vehicles taken along Interstate 5 or Interstate 205 are often recovered in Portland, according to prior Clark County reporting.

The incident also serves as a reminder that leaving a vehicle running and unattended on public roads is against the law in Washington, with drivers required to stop the engine, lock the ignition, and remove the key before walking away from an unattended vehicle. This rule was updated in 2025 to exclude locked vehicles using remote starter systems without keys left inside.