Battle Ground man accused of theft from federal vehicle

A Battle Ground man is accused of breaking into an SUV registered to U.S. Customs and Border Protection parked outside a Vancouver hotel and stealing items from a rifle bag, according to court records.

Chance Raymond Newbill, 31, appeared via video Thursday in Clark County Superior Court on suspicion of first-degree theft and second-degree vehicle prowling. Judge Gregory Gonzales set Newbill’s bail at $5,000 in the case. He will be arraigned Sept. 23, court records show.

A Vancouver police officer was dispatched at 9:50 p.m. Tuesday for a malicious mischief report at TownePlace Suites by Marriott Portland Vancouver, 17717 S.E. Mill Plain Blvd. A witness told the officer that he saw a man break into a white 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe and flee, according to an affidavit of probable cause.

The suspect, identified by police as Newbill, was located in the area driving a blue 1992 Toyota Corolla. The witness positively identified Newbill as the man he saw breaking into the vehicle, the affidavit says.

The victim of the theft, Joseph Damen, said binoculars, tripods and a spotting scope, among other items, were taken from his rifle bag. He gave police an itemized list of 12 items stolen, totaling $5,180, court records state.

Police said some of the stolen items were in open view of the vehicle Newbill was driving, the affidavit says.