Day-long standoff with police in Glenfair brings out SERT officers

Here’s why NE 147th Avenue, in outer East Portland, was closed down by the Portland Police Bureau on Monday – from mid-morning until afternoon …

When an ‘assault’ takes place in the Glenfair neighborhood, Portland Police shut down a street for most of the day, as they coax the suspect into surrendering.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

For most of the day, on Monday, March 3rd, NE 148th Avenue was closed down by Portland Police Bureau (PPB) patrol cars and yellow police tape. The shutdown extended from NE Glisan to Burnside.

Through our telephoto lens, it appeared that an armored PPB Special Emergency Response Team (SERT) armored vehicle was stopped along NE 148th Avenue, at about Couch Street. But surprisingly, only a couple of PPB patrol units were then visible.

Looking south along NE 148th Avenue, a PPB SERT armored vehicle and officers still stand guard – hours after the standoff began.

“About 10:15 a.m., officers responded to reports of an assault between people known to each other in the 14800 block of NE Couch Street,” PPB Public Information Manager Mike Benner reported to East Portland News. Benner declined to describe the nature of the “assault”, however.

Officers did come upon an adult male victim. “While he did not suffer serious injuries, he was transported to the hospital for treatment, and released the next day,” Benner said.

These armed and armor-clad officers stand ready, while a member of the PPB’s Crisis Negotiation Team coaxes the suspect into eventually surrendering.

“The suspect in this assault, an adult male, retreated to his apartment and would not come out,” Benner continued. “That’s why our SERT, Crisis Negotiation Team and Metropolitan Explosives Disposal Unit [they operate drones] were summoned, and responded to the scene.”

Through patient negotiations with the barricaded suspect, officers were able to talk him into coming out; he was taken into custody without incident about 4:30 p.m.

Law enforcement agencies and corrections departments are now forbidden to provide booking photos taken after a suspect is arrested, under Oregon State law, prior to conviction. Thus, you’re not allowed to see the MCDC booking photo of Walteruz Jeanmarie which was taken after his arrest. CLICK HERE for details.

Officers arrested 58-year-old Walteruz Jeanmarie, who was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center (MCDC) that afternoon at 5:25 p.m. on charges of Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree, Assault in the Second Degree, and Unlawful Use of a Weapon.

Currently Mr. Jeanmarie is still being held in the MCDC on $2,500 bail for the Criminal Mischief charge.

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