On Monday, May 17, 2021, people called 9-1-1 to report a series of robberies, thefts, and vandalism between 3:05 p.m. and 7:34 p.m. in four different neighborhoods in southeast Portland. The suspect descriptions and actions, as well as the relatively close locations of these crimes, suggests that the same group of suspects are responsible and may have committed similar crimes over several days.
The first three incidents took place in the Montavilla neighborhood. At about 3:05 p.m., the group entered a convenience store in the 9100 block of Southeast Division Street. A small group entered the store, spread out and began stealing things. They began to leave and pushed an employee out of their way as they left with stolen property (case 21-132906).
At about 3:22 p.m., the group entered a restaurant in the 8700 block of Southeast Division. They began yelling loudly at staff, creating a disturbance while one of the group stole the tip jar, then the whole group left (case 21-132917).
At about 3:46 p.m., the group entered a salon in the 8200 block of Southeast Division and began throwing products from shelves and table tops onto the floor. Individuals from the group moved into the "employee only" area and stole property. At least one person attempted to take a purse from a customer before leaving with the rest of the group (case 21-132937).
At about 4:15 p.m., the group approached a person parking a car in the 2700 block of 82nd Avenue, in the Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhood. They surrounded the car and approached the driver, demanding money. One of the group stole property from inside the car before the group ran off (case 21-132954).
At about 4:50 p.m., the group surrounded a car as it drove through a parking lot in the 5200 block of Southeast 82nd Avenue, in the Foster-Powell neighborhood. The driver of the car stopped and one of the people in the group opened the driver's door and pulled the driver out of the car. The group got into the car and drove off (case 21-132990).
At about 7:34 p.m., the group was driving the stolen car in the area of Southeast 86th Avenue and Southeast Bush Street in the Lents Neighborhood. They blocked the way of a person driving through that area, forcing the car to stop. People from the group in the stolen car tried to get into stopped car, but the driver was able to drive off (case 21-132131).
The people in the group were described as one black female and up to four black males, ranging in age from mid to late teens. Detectives are following up on these crimes, including the gathering of photo and video evidence. It is unknown at this time of these were in any way bias crimes. Investigators believe others may have been victims of these suspects, but have not called in to make a report.
Anyone with information can contact Detective Jeff Sharp Jeff.Sharp@portlandoregon.gov or Detective Bob Boylan Bob.Boylan@portlandoregon.gov.
Anyone with information about any of these cases may also reference the associated case number and e-mail crimetips@portlandoregon.gov .
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Source: Portland Police