Discover why some officers described this suspect as ‘determined, but not skilled’ …
Portland Police Bureau officers and Robbery Division detectives investigate an armed robbery at this US Bank branch, in Gateway.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The man who entered the US Bank Gateway branch on the afternoon of June 30 quickly made it clear that he was there to commit an armed robbery.
The teller fulfilled the suspect’s request, and handed over an undetermined amount of cash to the man holding a gun – and wearing a motorcycle helmet – before he dashed out of the bank, at 10220 SE Washington Street.
Because he happened already to be in a car outside the bank, a Portland Police Bureau detective saw the man walk east – with a brisk, purposeful stride – and cross SE 103rd Avenue into the parking lot just south of Car Stereo City and Bon Teriyaki.
An officer in this patrol car watches over this motorcycle – the one that the alleged bank robber couldn’t fire up – until it can be towed away for evidence.
The suspect reportedly hopped on a sleek, black motorcycle, parked by the dumpsters south of the strip mall. But alas, the alleged bank robber couldn’t get it to start.
PPB East Precinct officers soon got the report of the bank robbery, and following witness tips, headed east, looking for a man carrying a bag of money – and a gun.
“I saw that guy running past here,” said Denise Whittle, who said she was having lunch, sitting by the outside window, at the Hometown Buffet. “I though it was weird that a guy was running like that, wearing a ‘cycle helmet’.”
Apparently, the suspect continued east, and down the flight of stairs that connects below to a sidewalk which, by coincidence, that runs by PPB East Precinct building.
Officers take down the suspected robber in this field, behind Floyd Light Middle School – and adjacent to the outdoor playground at the East Portland Community Center.
The male suspect was apprehended in the field just south of Floyd Light Middle School. Reportedly he had a “banana clip” for a .22 gun in his pocket; whether or not officers found a gun attached to it has not been reported.
Although the suspect struggled with officers, he was apprehended without injury to police officers.
Police arrest this man, 32-year-old Dennis Charles Mcdonald, in connecting with the armed bank robbery. MCDC booking photo
According to PPB Public Information Officer Sgt. Pete Simpson, the man arrested was 32-year-old Dennis Charles Mcdonald.
After being questioned by PPB Robbery Detectives, and FBI agents, Mcdonald was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center (MCDC) at 7:01 p.m. that evening.
Mcdonald remains in custody at Multnomah County Inverness Jail, on a United States Marshall “hold”, without bail, until federal actions against the suspect are taken.
© 2014 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News