By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com
Since moving to a new home in Yachats almost two years ago Karen Bertenthal has undergone two cancer treatments and six surgeries.
But a car prowl early Saturday morning may have been the topper for Bertenthal and her husband, Dan.
“We got hit really hard,” she said Monday. “We’re tired. It’s been a really hard year for us.”
The Bertenthal’s live on Driftwood Lane just north of West Seventh Street.
What likely were a couple of thieves ransacked their Toyota Prius as part of a sweep through town that saw at least six or seven other cars hit. The reports – to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and on social media — ranged from West Second and Third streets, East Second Street, East Seventh at U.S. Highway 101, Driftwood and north to Aqua Vista Loop.
There were probably more car prowls not reported or noticed.
A Searose Yard & Home employee had tools and a compressor taken from his truck on West Third Street. Most of those were recovered from behind the C&K Plaza and – oddly enough — after being left in Bertenthal’s driveway.
Karen Bertenthal was the hardest hit.
The thieves made off with her wallet, which was in the Prius’ glove box. In that was a debit card, a credit card, a $100 bill, a blank check for emergencies, and much of her identification – including COVID-19 vaccination card. She is also missing prescription medicine for her cancer treatments.
By 8 a.m. Saturday the debit card had been used to pull $500 from a bank’s automated teller machine in Newport, $398 in purchases at Walmart, and $125 from a Newport auto parts store. Oh, and a $29.99 charge to an online escort or pornography site, Berthenthal said.
The Bertenthals say they are out nearly $1,700 – although many of the charges could be reversed later by the banks.
The couple who met in Arcata, Calif. and married two years ago, spent much of Saturday combing Yachats. Someone found her vaccination card in the parking lot of the C&K Market. She found her business cards in the parking lot of the Styx, Stones n’ Bones rock shop.
It appears that none of the car prowls involved the thieves damaging vehicles to get inside. Either they were unlocked or windows left open or unlatched.
Of the three thefts reported so far to the sheriff, no one was able to pin down an exact time, said Deputy Zach Landry. Social media posts indicated they may have taken place between midnight Friday and 1-2 a.m. Saturday.
Landry said there were no similar reports of car prowls in Waldport that night, so he is not sure if the thieves were from the area or moving through town, as is often the case.
“We’re starting that time of year where there’s just more activity,” he said.
If vehicles are parked outside, Landry reminded residents to remove valuables and be sure to lock them and/or set car alarms.
“If they want to get into a vehicle they will … but locking up makes it harder,” he said.
Having neighbors alert authorities to suspicious activity or vehicles is also helpful, Landry said.
“I’d rather respond to a call that’s nothing than respond to nine break-ins,” he said.
As for Karen and Dan Bertenthal, they’re still sorting out what’s missing, contacting banks, getting a new drivers license, medicine and all the other stuff that she counts on daily.
“It’s the feeling of violation … and we’ve been so beaten down,” said Karen Bertenthal.