Here’s how a traffic stop, on the border of the Hazelwood, Powellhurst-Gilbert, and Centennial neighborhoods, took a gun off the street …
-1 Portland Police Gun Violence Reduction Team officers call for backup after they spot a gun in a car they stopped on the border of the Hazelwood, Powellhurst-Gilbert, and Centennial neighborhoods.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
Having received information that a passenger riding in a car was associating with others involved in gun violence, and also had a warrant, Portland Police Bureau (PPB) Gun Violence Reduction Team (GVRT) officers conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle at SE 142nd Avenue and Division Street on January 16 at 8:55p.m.
This Smith & Wesson 9 mm semiautomatic pistol, with 14 bullets in the magazine and one in the chamber, was in the car with three suspects, officials say. PPB provided image
The stop ended with the seizure of an illegally-possessed firearm, and with three arrests – but two of the suspects were released until arraignment within hours of booking.
“During the stop, officers saw a gun in the car; and a 9 mm semiautomatic handgun was seized as evidence. One suspect, 25-year-old John Jerome Weems, was arrested on the warrant, and two other occupants were arrested for interfering with police,” a PPB spokesperson reported.
Facing numerous charges, including a Felony count, is 25-year-old John Jerome Weems. MCDC booking photo
Weems was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center (MCDC) at 10:09 p.m. that same evening.
At his arraignment the following day, Weems learned he’d face charges of Attempt to Elude by Vehicle; Attempt to Elude on Foot; and Failure to Perform Duties of a Driver. Combined bail was set at $10,000; but Weems remained incarcerated at Inverness Jail on a Parole Violation charge.
After spending a few hours in jail, 23-year-old Kaleb Ezekiel Anderson, arrested for Interfering with a Peace Officer and Resisting Arrest, it set free.
23-year-old Kaleb Ezekiel Anderson was booked into MCDC at 10:08 p.m. the evening of his arrest on charges of Interfering with a Peace Officer and Resisting Arrest. At his arraignment, a judge set him back into the community. Release Reason: “Released on Own Recognizance”.
29-year-old Duronte I. Talton is released from jail hours after his arrest.
And, at 10:09 p.m. that evening, 29-year-old Duronte I. Talton was booked at the MCDC on a charge of Interfering with a Peace Officer. At his arraignment, Talton was also released from custody by a judge. Release Reason: “Released on Own Recognizance”.
“Other charges are expected, pending further investigation,” the police official said.
© 2020 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™