This couple had it all planned out: Steal merchandise from the store, run outside and make a clean get-away car. Read why this suspect is now facing some REAL jail time …
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Workers said the warm, Friday night of June 30 was pretty much like any other.
Then, it happened. Target’s Loss Prevention employees contacted 31-year-old Rogelio Perez and 25-year-old Elizabeth Dora Tate as they were leaving the store with what was said to be stolen property.
Perez began to struggle with 26-year-old Trevor Collin and other Target employees. Tate fled the store and hopped into a get-away car in the parking lot. In the midst of what was described as a violent struggle, Collin received a non-life-threatening stab wound to the neck area.
Perez eventually broke free, sprinted to the get-away car and the alleged partners-in-crime sped away.
But, with a description of the car in hand, sharp-eyed East Precinct officers spotted the car within minutes. Officers followed the suspects as they drove into an apartment complex parking lot in the 2300 block of Southeast 111th Avenue.
Once in the apartment building lot, Perez fled on foot and Tate surrendered. During the subsequent foot pursuit Sergeant Mike Krantz, a 34-year-old 12-year member of the Portland Police Bureau, broke his leg as jumped over a fence.
Rogelio Perez was charged with Robbery in the First Degree and Assault in the Second Degree, and Elizabeth Dora Tate who was charged with Robbery in the First Degree.
Both Collin and Sergeant Krantz are recovering from their injuries.
We couldn’t resist taking this photo ‚Ķ
While other stations were preparing to go on the air with their mobile newsrooms, we snapped this photo of Gary, a veteran news videographer for KOIN-6, discovering his signal was blocked by Mt. Tabor. The other stations’ trucks have very tall, extendable “stinger” masts, high enough to clear obstructions.
© 2006 David F. Ashton ~ East PDX News