Portland School Burglaries: Man Arrested in SE Portland

A 30-year-old man is in custody following a series of burglaries at Grace Lutheran School in Southeast Portland’s Montavilla neighborhood, police announced Tuesday. Joshua R. Sandall was arrested Saturday, February 7, after officers responding to a reported burglary found him inside the school building located in the 2200 block of Southeast 92nd Avenue.

Sandall faces multiple charges, including three counts of second-degree burglary, three counts of first-degree criminal mischief, one count of second-degree criminal mischief, and two counts of third-degree theft, according to the Portland Police Bureau. He has been transported to the Multnomah County Detention Center.

The first break-in was reported on January 19, 2026, when a window was broken with a large piece of concrete, allowing entry into the school. While items were disturbed, nothing was reported stolen at that time. A second incident occurred on February 3, with the suspect again using concrete to shatter a window and gain access. Police stated a room was ransacked and school property damaged during this break-in.

On February 4, the school reported that the suspect had returned, wandering through the building and stealing cleaning supplies. Officers responded to a burglary in progress on February 7, establishing containment around the school before locating and arresting Sandall inside, according to police reports.

Portland Police Chief Bob Day stated, “Arrests like this matter because they prevent further victimization and send a clear message that repeated criminal behavior will not be tolerated.” He also emphasized the importance of restoring a sense of safety for students, staff, and the surrounding community, commending the work of officers from the East Precinct and detectives from the Major Crimes Unit.

Damage from the break-ins included broken windows and ransacked rooms, as documented by the Portland Police Bureau. The investigation remains ongoing.