Knife-brandishing bandit robs cell phone store

Learn more about this astonishing robbery in the Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhood …

This outer East Portland cell phone store was robbed by a tall thin man, waving a very large knife, officials say.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
It had been an ordinary evening at the Metro PCS, at 9226 SE Division Street just west of the TriMet MAX Light Rail station, on Monday evening, April 2, until a man strode into the shop at 6:36 p.m. brandishing a foot-long knife.

Employees hit the silent alarm, bringing Portland Police Bureau (PPB) East Precinct officers to the area. Some police went into the store, and others began a search for the bandit.

“Officers learned that a suspect entered the location, demanded money, and directed employees into a back room while brandishing a knife,” said PPB Public Information Officer Sgt. Chris Burley.

After the robber grabbed a wad of cash, the man headed out the door and seemingly vanished, Burley said.

Police officers fan out through the western edge of the Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhood, looking for the robbery suspect – who may have hopped on a nearby light rail train.

“After searching the neighborhood, officers did not locate anyone matching the suspect’s description: A male, six feet two inches tall, with a thin build,” Burley reported.

The Bureau’s Detective Division Robbery Detail continued the investigation, and anyone with information about the incident is asked to call detectives at 503-823-0405.

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