10/26/09 

By Rachel Azevedo 

A rash of car burglaries in Bend and Redmond may point to one person. Martin Todd Hollowell, 45, currently sits in Deschutes County Jail for charges including unlawful entry to a vehicle and identity theft. He was arrested in Redmond over the weekend after police spotted him in the parking lot of Fred Meyer. Bend police have connected him to five break-ins in Bend and are investigating possible involvement into at least 25 others, including break-ins KOHD first reported Friday at local fitness centers. Police say Hollowell wasn't picky about where he targeted vehicles.

"There were numerous cars that were entered in a specific area, but he didn't stay in that area. He moved around the city, to include Redmond," said Lt. Ben Gregory of the Bend Police Department.

Investigators say Hollowell broke into vehicles by smashing a window. His property of choice was purses and wallets. He then made purchases using the stolen credit cards.

The rash of break-ins date back to September. Hollowell had been identified as a suspect for about a week before he was arrested. A search warrant was served on his vehicle and at the Bend motel where he was staying. Police say cases like this are far too common.

"Since February of 2009 the detectives at Bend Police Department has investigated three cases in which person or persons were involved in numerous break ins. In one case earlier this year it was up to 53," said Lt. Gregory.

Police believe Hollowell was working alone.