Gunman fails at ‘Daily Planet’ stickup

This thug had a plan – and a gun. But, see what foiled this bandit in Powellhurst-Gilbert when he tried to rob a neighborhood establishment …

All is well at this friendly neighborhood establishment now, but a lone gunman tried to hold up The Daily Planet restaurant and bar, right at closing time a few nights ago.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
It’s pretty certain that the thug had his caper all planned out: First case The Daily Planet Restaurant and Lounge at 11312 SE Powell Boulevard, then get a gun, and finally hold up the bartender at closing time and make off with the day’s receipts.

On November 12, at 3:49 a.m., the crook put his plan into action, just as barkeep Jason Wilkeson locked up for the night.

The masked gunman demanded that Wilkeson reenter the establishment, and even shot off his gun while the employee struggled to unlock the door. Once inside, the intrusion alarm sounded.

The robber demanded to be taken to the restaurant’s safe, but Wilkeson explained it was as a “drop box”, and that he couldn’t open it.

Police arrive within minutes, after being notified of the alarm.

As the alarm continued blaring, the bandit demanded that Wilkeson shut it off. Making his point, he fired his pistol again.

But, the bartender replied that the police had already been alerted and there wasn’t cash available – and suggested the bumbling criminal leave the premises – empty handed.

“The suspect ran out the front door of the bar and was last seen running eastbound on SE Powell Boulevard,” reported Portland Police Bureau (PPB) Public Information Officer Sgt. Pete Simpson. “The suspect did not obtain any money from the bar, and the victim was uninjured.”
Officers closed down area streets, and a Gresham Police Department officer and his dog made what Simpson described as an “extensive neighborhood search”.

In the end, his “getaway” was the only part of this thug’s plan that was successful. “The suspect was not located by police,” Simpson said, describing him as a white male in his 20s, 5’10” tall, with a slender build, wearing a black and gray checkered shirt and mask.

“Anyone with information about this robbery is asked to call the Robbery Detail at (503) 823-0405,” concluded Simpson.

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