Viento gets hit for trailer, two Gators in $25K weekend theft

John Deere Gators such as this one were stolen from Viento State Park west of Hood River during the weekend.

THE DALLES, Ore., Dec. 7, 2025 — It appears that criminals like to visit  Oregon’s State Parks too, as was proven this weekend when a late night theft tallied some $25,000 in losses.

But they’re not great at leave no trace.

Oregon State Police are investigating a late-night theft on Saturday at Viento State Park after suspects allegedly broke into a maintenance yard and stole two John Deere Gators worth about $10,000 each, along with a flatbed trailer they used to haul them away.

Bold.

Troopers responded Sunday morning, Dec. 7, after park staff discovered cut locks at the park yard gate several miles west of Hood River. Thieves were then able to get into multiple secured shipping containers. Investigators said the suspects entered the yard, breached the containers, and loaded the Gators onto a dual-axle flatbed trailer stored inside before hauling them off.

Park employees also reported that numerous hand and power tools were missing. Before leaving, the suspects allegedly removed the trailer’s license plate and left it at the scene.

The trailer has since been entered as stolen, and park staff expect to provide VINs for the Gators later this week so they can also be listed in law enforcement databases.

Replacement cost on a base model Gator is about $10,000 each. 

Rangers believe the theft occurred sometime between 4 p.m. on Dec. 6 and the morning of Dec. 7. The investigation remains ongoing.