Alleged ‘serial bandits’ indicted for East County armed robberies

Remember the string of armed robberies we told you about in April? You might be surprised to find who officials say they believe committed many of them. Check it out right here …

Usually, folks have a good time here at “The Flag” – but the Checkered Flag tavern, located at 7483 SE 82nd Avenue and SE Flavel Street, was the scene of a January 23 stick-up. East Portland News file photo

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
In our April 15 edition, we brought you a story from the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) CRIMESTOPPERS bureau about a couple of thugs that terrorized and held up bars and gambling parlors in outer East Portland.

> To read that story, and see securing photos of the suspects in two establishments, CLICK HERE.

On March 2, armed robbers allegedly hit Ed’s Deli, on SE 52nd Avenue, between SE Foster Road and Powell Boulevard. East Portland News file photo

On June 1, PPB Public Information Officer Sgt. Pete Simpson announced that a Multnomah County Grand Jury had issued indictments for two suspects who they believe were involved in five armed robberies – from as far out as Troutdale, westward into outer East Portland.

And, on March 28, the pair of bandits were said to have held up this establishment, the Shamrock Bar & Grill, located at 4919 SE 82nd Avenue. East Portland News file photo
In addition to those establishments pictured above, the pair were also accused of robbing:

January 12 – Hilton’s Haven, at 21415 SE Stark Street in Gresham, and
January 15 – Dotty’s Deli, at 27054 SE Stark Street in Troutdale.

“On May 20, the grand jury indicted 22-year-old Jamiel Lewis Smith and 20-year-old Jimmie Ray Sanders-Garcia this string of armed robberies,” Simpson said.

Indicted for what police call “a string of armed robberies” are these two men: 22-year-old Jamiel Lewis Smith, and 20-year-old Jimmie Ray Sanders-Garcia. MCDC photos

Sanders-Garcia had previously been indicted for the murder of 14-year-old Shiloh Hampton – the Madison High School student gunned down near Lloyd Center, Simpson added. “Sanders-Garcia was also indicted for Felon in Possession of a Firearm.”

Both Smith and Sanders-Garcia have been in jail since May 12, we learned. “These cases were solved, in part, due to the cooperation of witnesses and tips from the community,” concluded Simpson.

Each count against each man carries a $250,000 bail requirement. Both Smith and Sanders-Garcia remain in the custody of the Multnomah County Department of Corrections.

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