BEAVERTON, Ore. (Mar. 30, 2026) — Detectives with the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office have arrested a 48-year-old man accused of stealing brass plates from TriMet MAX light rail platforms, authorities said.
According to investigators, TriMet reported that between March 17 and March 19, multiple large brass plates were unscrewed and taken from several MAX stations along North Interstate Avenue. The plates are used to shield sensitive transit equipment.
Sheriff Nicole Morrisey O’Donnell said the arrest reflects coordination between her office, TriMet and prosecutors aimed at improving transit safety.
“Today’s announcement reflects the coordination that defines our partnerships with TriMet and the district attorney’s office to enhance public safety in our community,” Morrisey O’Donnell said in a statement. “Across our entire transit system, the deputies and officers assigned to Transit Police represent a team of dedicated public servants who are making a genuine difference and helping TriMet riders move confidently and safely.”
TriMet Chief Safety and Security Officer Andrew Wilson said the case highlights the impact of vandalism and theft on public infrastructure.
“Theft and vandalism have real impacts,” Wilson said. “Missing plates leave uneven surfaces or openings where people could stumble or fall, especially in crowded or low-light conditions, and they expose sensitive equipment to damage.”
The investigation began after TriMet Transit Police reviewed public safety camera footage and worked with regional law enforcement partners. A Port of Portland Police Department officer assigned to Transit Police identified the suspect as Benjamin Mark Honl, 48.
Authorities said Honl was arrested March 25 in the 12700 block of Southwest 6th Avenue in Beaverton.
A court-authorized search warrant led to the recovery of a stolen brass plate hidden under a vehicle seat cushion, as well as clothing matching that worn during the alleged thefts and a wheelchair believed to have been used to transport the heavy plates, according to court documents.
Honl was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center on two counts of first-degree theft, one count of attempted first-degree theft and one count of first-degree criminal mischief.
Officials said each brass plate is valued at more than $1,000. The thefts created safety hazards, caused property damage and posed risks to transit operations, as the plates protect equipment that could lead to electrical outages if damaged.
Authorities emphasized that the charges are allegations, and Honl is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The sheriff’s office said the information released is based on a preliminary investigation and may change as the case develops.
All suspects are believed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law
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