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OREGON CITY, Or. – A Portland man with an extensive history of retail theft from home improvement stores received a 13-month prison sentence Wednesday in Clackamas County Circuit Court.
Manuel Kaneala Hernandez Jr., 46, pleaded guilty to one count of Theft in the First degree and two counts of Theft in the Second degree in two separate cases. Other charges were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.
In May 2023, Hernandez walked out of a Lowe’s store in Milwaukie with a $399.99 item and drove off in a stolen U-Haul truck. Surveillance video helped police identify Hernandez from old booking photos which showed his distinctive tattoos on both sides and back of his neck and on the top of each hand.
Later that month, Hernandez stole a utility trailer from Lowe’s store in Vancouver, Wash.
In August 2023, Hernandez loaded a cart with more than $1,000 worth of merchandise at the same Milwaukie Lowe's store, broke the security door in the back of the store and left with the goods — a chainsaw, leaf blower and a portable table top stove. The haul also included expensive animatronic Halloween decorations featuring a clown with a bear, a cemetery and Leatherface, a horror film character.
Hernandez was observed shoplifting a third time at the Lowe's store in November 2023. The store’s loss prevention officers again recognized Hernandez.
Hernandez was convicted in Clark County last year on charges of possessing the stolen trailer and resisting arrest.
He then was extradited to Washington County where he faced additional criminal charges for stealing thousands of dollars in merchandise from Home Depot and Lowe’s stores and other crimes.
Hernandez pleaded guilty in Washington County in July to theft in the first degree, aggravated identity theft and attempting to elude a police officer. He was sentenced to 24 months in prison and ordered to repay Lowe’s more than $4,000 and a yet-to-be-determined amount to Home Depot.
Hernandez has a long history of criminal convictions for theft, drugs and other crimes.