After being caught trying to steal a car, and ammunition, these two accused thieves are released from jail on the same day they’re arrested …
Officers, responding to burglary call in the Lents neighborhood, quickly call for their “Air Support” unit to track suspects fleeing into a notorious outer East Portland bog.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
“It happens here all the time, but it seems like no one in [Portland] city government cares that some of people are living around the [Beggars Tick Marsh] swamp come out and steal anything they can find,” remarked nearby Lents resident Ebert Maxwell, after learning about an attempted burglary near his house the previous night.
On a large lot to the south of SE Harold Street at 107th Avenue there is a house, and two shop buildings, to which Portland Police Bureau officers were called at 1:16 a.m. on September 18, when neighbors called the 9-1-1 Center to report hearing “suspicious noises”.
Alert neighbors show officers the direction in which the suspects fled the scene of an alleged burglary.
Because this property backs up to the Beggars Tick Marsh, Portland Police Bureau (PPB) officers asked for help from their “eye-in-the-sky” Tactical Operations Division’s Air Support Unit.
“As members of the Air Support Unit flew overhead, they observed two suspects run from the location,” said PPB Public Information Officer Sergeant Christopher Burley.
If their midnight criminal caper had been successful, police say the thieves would have made off with this 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air.
In addition to stealing a car, the burglars are also accused of preparing to take this stash of ammo, too.
With additional help from a neighbor, the two suspects were taken into custody without incident, Burley reported. “Officers searched for the third suspect, but have not located the suspect at this time.”
“During the investigation, officers learned three suspects had arrived and broken into several buildings, and attempted to take a 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air and hundreds of rounds of ammunition,” reported Burley.
Although charged with three Class C Felonies, 45-year-old Michael Allen Brown is released back into the neighborhood, mere hours after his arrest.
45-year-old Michael Allen Brown was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center at 3:58 a.m. that morning, on charges of Burglary in the Second Degree (two counts), Theft in the First Degree, and Attempt Unlawful Use of a Motor Vehicle.
After his arraignment that morning in Multnomah County District Court, the judge released Brown from custody on his own recognizance, without bail.
24-year-old Shelby Lynn Taylor finds herself almost immediately freed from custody, although she’s charged with three Class C Felonies.
Also booked into the MCDC was 24-year-old Shelby Lynn Taylor, who matriculated into jail at 3:58 a.m. on charges of two counts of Burglary in the Second Degree, Theft in the First Degree, and Attempt Unlawful Use of a Motor Vehicle.
Like her co-suspect, Taylor was released from custody the same day she was arrested, booked and arraigned in court, on her own recognizance, without bail.
“Talk about a ‘revolving door’ for criminals!” exclaimed Maxwell after learning that the two suspects, although charged with felonies, had been set free. “This isn’t the fault of the cops; we’ve got a messed up judicial system,” he commented as he walked away, shaking his head.
Anyone with information about this incident or the suspects should contact the Portland Police Bureau non-emergency line at 503-823-3333.
© 2018 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™
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