Young cancer patient's stolen ‘feel good bag’ recovered

Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office arrests two in break-in that left girl without her comfort items

KPAM 860, Mar 5, 2008, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (1 Reader comment)

Submitted Photo / Courtesy Clackamas County Sheriff's Office

Authorities announced Wednesday that they were able to recover a Happy Valley girl’s “feel good bag,” which had been stolen last month in a car prowl. They also arrested two suspects.

The backpack contained items that Bonnie Lee Mccutcheon-Scruggs’s daughter would take with her to her chemotherapy treatments for comfort. The items included an autographed Portland Timbers soccer ball, team picture and t-shirt.

Mccutcheon-Scruggs said Wednesday that her daughter had forgiven the thieves.

“They were just things,” Mccutcheon-Scruggs said. “Her health is what’s important first and foremost, and her happiness. She’s a very courageous, loving child and like I said, she’s already forgiven (the thieves)."

Phillip Burton Merriam and Lisa Michelle Mathers, both 33, were arrested Wednesday at a home located at 13314 SE Busch in Portland. Police recovered the backpack there as well.

Other items were stolen from Mccutcheon-Scruggs’s car on Feb. 28 at Happy Valley Drive and King Road in Happy Valley, including the Easter dress she had just bought for her daughter. Authorities said that Mathers was seen in surveillance camera footage returning that dress for cash at a business along Southeast 82nd Avenue.

Images of Mathers, Merriam and a third suspect were released to the media on Tuesday. A Portland police officer recognized Merriam. A short time later, police were at the home on Southeast Busch to arrest him.

“They were initially unable to locate him but were successful in finding where he was hiding—inside a refrigerator,” said Clackamas County Sheriff’s Det. Jim Strovink. “At that time he failed to comply (with) commands, they did not see his hands and actually tazered him and took him into custody.”

Strovink said the couple is believed to be responsible for at least 10 additional thefts from vehicles in the Happy Valley area.

Both are due in court Thursday afternoon for arraignment.

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