Operation “MistleTow” uncovers alleged illegal car trafficking ring in Multnomah County
PORTLAND, Ore. — One man was arrested after allegedly stealing multiple cars through an illegal tow truck operation, according to the Multnomah County District Attorney. Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office called the months-long investigation “Operation MistleTow.” Joseph Allen Beard, 53, is facing multiple charges including trafficking in stolen vehicles, unauthorized use of a vehicle, possession of a stolen vehicle, theft, criminal mischief, forgery, and identity theft.
The multi-agency investigation revealed that a representative of Maters Auto Recycling[1] sold about 80 vehicles to Rivergate Scrap Metal between late August and early Nov.
2023. Officials say the investigation concluded that five of the 80 cars were reported stolen and about 17 had Vehicle Identification Numbers that appeared to be false. The total paid out by Rivergate for the vehicles was about £29,000 in cash to persons claimed to be representing Maters.
Beard is allegedly the primary Maters’ representative to Rivergate and is personally connected to the five stolen vehicles. According to officials, all of the transactions connected to the stolen cars were tendered by Joseph Beard with a DMV Possessory Lien Foreclosure form. That form is used exclusively when the claimed ownership of a vehicle is after an auction from a tow company that initially validly towed at the government’s request.
Not only did the investigation reveal that Beard did not drive a licensed tow truck, but it also revealed that none of the vehicles that Beard sold appeared to have been acquired at an auction or were initially towed at government request. It also revealed that the submitted DMV paperwork was fraudulent and that Maters Auto Recycling[2] is not a licensed tow company. During the investigation, on Dec.
9, 2023, it was alleged that Beard was caught stealing a Cadillac belonging to a 79-year-old woman. A woman who was in another car with her great-grandkids noticed the lady’s Cadillac being towed and boxed in Beard’s tow truck and demanded he return her vehicle. Fortunately for the great-grandmother, Beard complied with her demand.
As part of a PPB detached stolen vehicle operation, Beard was arrested on Friday on outstanding warrants and was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center.
He is facing 19 new charges related to the towing operation:
- One count of trafficking in stolen vehicles
- Three counts of unauthorized use of a vehicle
- Three counts of possession of a stolen vehicle
- Three counts of forgery in the first degree
- Three counts of criminal mischief in the first degree
- Three counts of theft in the first degree
- Three counts of Identity Theft
- Three charges related to the December 9th car theft
- One count of unauthorized use of a vehicle
- One count of possession of a stolen vehicle
- One count of theft in the first degree
This case remains under investigation.
Officials say they expect further charges pending indictment.