Knife robbery suspect arrested, booked – then released

INCLUDES VIDEO | See how quickly this alleged knifeman was back on the street after being arrested and booked on five Felonies and three Misdemeanors …

Officers are along SE 122nd Avenue and on Madison Street for hours, doing their best to encourage an alleged knifeman-robber to surrender.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

Apparently, committing an armed robbery – witnessed by others, and captured on video security on the the evening of February 7 – isn’t a serious issue to the justice system, at least, if takes place in outer East Portland. Don’t blame the police, though; they did their job.

The suspect in this crime, 35-year-old Michael Chantry Knoles, was released by a judge from his brief brush with the “law and order” system in Multnomah County.

The incident took place, witnesses said, in the parking lot outside of the Plaid Pantry convenience store near the corner of SE Market Street and 22nd Avenue.

Officers surround the tent where an armed robbery suspect tries to hide from police – and from police dogs.

Portland Police Bureau (PPB) East Precinct officers were dispatched to this “Robbery-with Weapon” call at 7:47 p.m.

“Officers arrived and interviewed the victim, who said he was robbed at knifepoint,” PPB Public Information Officer Lt. Nathan Sheppard told East Portland News the next day.

Watch this video, and see, after several hours, how this standoff turns into an arrest:

“Reviewing video from a nearby business, the recording captured the incident, so officers could corroborate the victim’s version of events,” Lt. Sheppard continued. “A witness familiar with the suspect was able to direct officers to the suspect’s tent.”

Suspect Knoles’ residence, a tent, was 450 feet south of where the robbery took place, and a quarter block east of SE 122nd Avenue on Madison Street – just north of Portland Fire & Rescue Mill Park Station #7.

With lights trained on the encampment where the armed robbery suspect is “hiding”, officers patiently wait for him to come out. They waited for hours.

Apparently, suspect Knoles was hoping not to end his evening in police custody. Instead, he buttoned up his tent, and wouldn’t budge. For hours, officers kept lights on the tent, and requested Knoles to give up.

By 11:14 p.m. that evening, nine officers were surrounding the tent, including two PPB Canine Units, who were barking orders for the man to surrender.

Finally, at 11:57 p.m., Knoles gives himself up and is walked, in handcuffs, to an awaiting ambulance.

Knoles was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center (MCDC) at on February 8 at 2:26 a.m. His Felony charges included two (2) counts of Robbery in the First Degree; two (2) counts of Unlawful Use of a Weapon; Attempted Assault; and, Misdemeanor charges included two (2) counts of Menacing and Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree.

Sorry, Oregon’s lawmakers made it impossible for you to see the booking photo of alleged armed robber, 35-year-old Michael Chantry Knoles. CLICK HERE for details.

However, after his arraignment, a kindly judge dismissed the need for bail on all five Felony and three Misdemeanor charges. Knoles was released from the MCDC and back on to our streets on February 9. Release Reason: Close Street Supervision. Of course, the suspect apparently has no permanent address, so supervision may prove impossible.

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