This time, they found the suspect across from Ron Russell Middle School. See photos – and the exclusive video – which show why police became concerned as this incident unfolded …
As evening falls in outer East Portland, SE 112th Avenue – seen here, looking south on Powell Boulevard in the Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhood – the street is closed while officers try to calm an agitated man in a truck – someone they say they’ve dealt with in the past.
Story, photos and video by David F. Ashton
Officials didn’t publicly name the subject involved in a large callout of Portland Police Bureau (PPB) officers back on February 21, in the Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhood. But, starting late that morning, officers closed off SE 114th Avenue, between Holgate Boulevard and Boise Street – for hours – after responding to a “Disturbance – with Weapon” call. The subject was not arrested at that time.
>> CLICK HERE to read our coverage of the February 21 incident.
It was a different story on March 5, when that same subject – later identified 30-year-old Colby Randall Lindsey – caused some kind of ruckus at or near his home along SE 114th Avenue. The commotion caused neighbors to call the 9-1-1 Center, which in turn, dispatched PPB officers to a “Suspicious Subject, vehicle, or Circumstance” call in the area at 4:37 p.m.
PPB East Precinct officers – with the help of an Enhanced Crisis Intervention Team (ECIT) officer, seen here wearing the red sash – try to communicate with the man in the pickup truck.
This situation lasted for about 3½ before it was resolved; but not without high drama, and melted tires.
“East Precinct officers were dispatched to the ‘suspicious circumstances’ call where a wanted suspect had been seen in the area,” PPB Public Information Officer Sgt. Kevin Allen told reporters outside the containment scene. “Officers were familiar with the suspect, and knew that he was frequently armed with handguns; also, he was wanted for domestic violence, and firearms-related crimes.”
This time, they didn’t find Lindsey at home; they located him as he sped away in a white GMC Sierra SL pickup truck.
Although “boxed in” by PPB units front, back, and side, the enraged driver of the pickup truck unsuccessfully tries to ram his way out of the predicament.
“As the truck approached the intersection of SE 112th Avenue and Bush Street, officers surrounded the pickup truck with their police vehicles,” Allen reported.
Officers “boxed in” the pickup truck from the front, rear, and side, making it impossible for Lindsey to drive away. “He used his truck to attempt to ram his way out of the box-in, but was unable to escape,” Allen said.
>> To see video taken by East Portland News at the scene that was time-compressed, but in sequence, from several clips, CLICK HERE. Note: Some may consider the content of this video graphic or disturbing.
For some time, officers – including a highly-trained officer with the PPB’s Enhanced Crisis Intervention Team – tried calming Lindsey down, and attempted to negotiate his surrender, but he refused to come out.
Officers call for help from the PPB Special Emergency Reaction Team (SERT) and the Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT).
As the incident unfolded, officers asked neighbors to “shelter in place” as the situation escalated.
“These cops sure are patient with this situation; I mean, really tolerant,” observed neighbor Sid McCormack, watching officers as they tried to convince Lindsey to give up. “Where I grew up in L.A., they would’ve smashed the window, and dragged him out of the truck,” he told East Portland News.
On-scene supervisors requested on-duty personnel from the Bureau’s Special Emergency Reaction Team (SERT) and the Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) to help.
The suspect’s tires were melted by friction and destroyed, and the spinning hubs began digging into the pavement. PPB image
“The officers continued the effort to negotiate his surrender, but the suspect still tried to force his truck out,” Allen said. “An officer sprayed the suspect with OC (pepper) spray, but it did not have an effect.”
Deciding that they needed additional resources, PPB supervisors initiated a full SERT/CNT callout, bringing an armored vehicle that was used to help officers get closer, in order to communicate from a position of safety.
These loaded guns were later found in the pickup truck. PPB images
“Due to the increasingly dangerous situation, CS gas was deployed next to the truck, which was effective; the suspect got out and surrendered at 7:56 p.m.,” informed Allen. “Officers located two handguns in the truck; both of them were loaded.”
After Lindsey was taken into police custody, he was taken by ambulance to a hospital for a medical evaluation.
30-year-old Colby Randall Lindsey was booked into jail on numerous criminal charges; but was released, without bail, days later. MCDC booking photo
Upon his medical release, Lindsey, was booked into the Multnomah County Detention at Center 10:37 p.m. on charges of Violation of Restraining Order (2 counts), Criminal Mischief in the First Degree, Attempting to Elude by Vehicle, Assault in the Fourth Degree-Domestic Violence, Menacing—Domestic Violence, and Harassment.
At his arraignment, Lindsey learned his combined bail had been set at $340,000. However, Lindsey was released back into the community, without paying any bail, four days later, on March 9. Release Reason: Pre-Trial Supervision Program.
© 2021 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™
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