Crash near Eastport Plaza ends stolen SUV joyride

After shopping at the Eastport Plaza Walmart, these suspects in a stolen vehicle didn’t get far. See where their caper ended …

After it was stolen in North Portland, police spot and stop the Acura MDX SUV in Eastport Plaza.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

A joyride in a burgundy Acura MDX SUV, reportedly stolen in North Portland, ended in Eastport Plaza on the morning of November 4.

After the driver of the purloined vehicle ditched police by winding through the side streets of inner Southeast Portland, and the occupants decided to go shopping at the plaza Walmart store, along SE 82^nd Avenue of Roses at SE Holgate Boulevard.

At 9:15 a.m. Portland Police Bureau (PPB) East Precinct officers spotted the stolen Acura in the parking lot, and watched the occupants stroll out of the store to return to the vehicle.

Officers look for evidence, while others track down suspects who fled from the stolen SUV.

When they saw officers closing in on them, the driver started the SUV and sped off, careening north in Plaza parking lot. Driving too fast, the driver failed to negotiate the corner at SE Francis Street, popped up the curb, and became stuck in the grass in front of the Izzy’s Restaurant.

As the driver and two passengers fled the stolen vehicle, a total of 13 police units converged on the scene.

The driver and a passenger were arrested as they headed north into the neighborhood.

This Portland Police K9 Team searches yards around homes on the north side of SE Bush Street, looking for the third passenger, who escaped capture.

Currently in jail, awaiting trial on numerous charges, is 21-year-old Alex James Burton. MCDC booking photo

21-year-old Alex James Burton was identified as the driver, and was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center (MCDC) at 1:56 p.m. that afternoon on charges of Unlawful Use of a Motor Vehicle, Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle, Identity Theft, and Theft in the Third Degree. Burton is lodged in Multnomah County Inverness Jail, in lieu of $18,734 bail.

19-year-old D’Andre Larence Bauer, also charged in this incident, is free on “Pre-Trial Supervision”. MCDC booking photo

The passenger, 19-year-old D’Andre Larence Bauer, was also arrested. He was booked into MCDC at 11:32 a.m., charged with Unlawful Use of a Motor Vehicle, Identity Theft (two counts) and Attempted Theft in the Second Degree. Bauer was released the same afternoon in the Multnomah County Pre-Trial Supervision Program. The other passenger is still being sought..

An officer searches the stolen SUV, looking for evidence.

Fortunately for the vehicle’s rightful owner, the SUV appeared to be in good condition, considering the events of the morning.

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