Teen shoplifters run down security officer in stolen vehicles
PORTLAND, Ore. July 18 2018 – Police detained seven teenagers on Monday night, all accused of stealing from a Southeast Portland Safeway store before fleeing in stolen cars.
Two 17-year-olds were arrested on Measure 11 robbery charges, while the other five juveniles were released to their parents.
Officers were called out about 6:45 p.m. on reports of a group of seven people leaving the Safeway on SE 122nd Avenue without paying for their stuff. One of the suspects hit a security guard who tried to stop them as they left the store.
Witnesses said they saw some of the suspects leave in a white VW Atlas.
An officer spotted the vehicle near SE 148th and Center Street and saw some people running away from it. Police found two other vehicles – a Hyundai Elantra and a Nissan Maxima – couple blocks away at SE 148th and Bush Street.
All three vehicles had been reported stolen.
Police searched the neighborhood and detained seven juvenile suspects, later saying that “officers believe the suspects involved in the Safeway strong-armed robbery were also associated with the stolen Elantra and Maxima.”
Five were released to their parents, while 17-year-old Jayvontea Binnz and 17-year-old Jaymari Williams were booked into the Donald E. Long Juvenile Detention Center on second-degree robbery and third-degree assault.
Officials said there could be more charges filed as the case develops.
The stolen vehicles were returned to their owners.
KATU
