Cops catch knife-brandishing suspect after a shoplift goes bad

As if being caught shoplifting wasn’t enough, see why this suspected criminal slashed up a 7-11 employee …

Police say this well-stocked 7-11 Store is a favorite for late-night shoppers in eastern Montavilla was the scene of a knife-point robbery.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
For those heading home on SE Division Street off I-205, the 7-11 Store on SE Division Street at SE 92^nd Avenue is a welcome stop for many early morning and late night shoppers.

But, the friendly atmosphere of this neighborhood connivance store turned shockingly vicious about 1:30 a.m. on January 3. Portland Police Bureau (PPB) East Precinct district officers were summoned to the store, responding to a shoplift gone horribly wrong.

“Officers learned that the clerk observed a suspect shoplift several items of candy and aluminum foil,” said PPB Public Information Officer Sgt. Pete Simpson. “The clerk recognized the suspect from prior shoplifts.”

Officers investigating the incident said the clerk grabbed onto the suspect and the suspect began to struggle. “The suspect pulled out a knife and cut the clerk on the hand,” reported Simpson. “The suspect then ran from the store and the clerk chased him briefly.”

After allegedly slashing the store clerk – over shoplifting candy and tin foil, the suspect heads around the store, and north on SE 92^nd Ave.

On addition to district officers and command staff converging on the scene, a PPB K-9 Unit responded and conducted a neighborhood search.

The police dog led officers north, to a detached garage near SE 92nd Avenue and SE Caruthers St. where they found the suspect hiding.

Police accuse this man, 26-year-old Ryan Michael Mickler, of “Robbery in the First Degree”. MCDC photo

Police slapped the handcuffs on 26-year-old Ryan Michael Mickler at 2:37 a.m., suspecting of robbing and slashing the clerk, according to MCDC records. These records also show Mickler is charged with Furnishing False Information to a Police Officer, a misdemeanor carrying $1,234 bail, as well as Robbery in the First Degree, a class A felony with $250,000 bail. He remains in custody at this writing.

“The victim suffered a minor cut to his hand and was treated by medical personnel at the scene,” Simpson concluded.

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