Lengthy prison terms given to ‘Tracksuit Bandits’

Here’s an update on a crew of armed robbers busted in outer East Portland about a year ago …

This security video frame shows why storekeepers said they felt terrorized by the gun-slinging robbers who held up their shops. Image courtesy of Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office

Story and some photos by David F. Ashton

Three of four men arrested for a spree of nine brutal armed robberies – of a bar, smoke shops, and small markets – from December 9, 2017 through January 21, 2018, have now been sentenced to years in prison after pleading to their crimes in Multnomah County Circuit Court on December 6.

During these robberies, the suspects wore masks to hide their faces, and used firearms as force to steal cash and other items from convenience stores.

The “Tracksuit Bandits” armed robbery bender ended here, at the Parkrose area’s Neighborhood Market. Archive photo: East Portland News

Each time they used the same getaway car, a white Ford Excursion, witnesses told Portland Police Bureau Robbery Division detectives. This information helped officers spot the vehicle after they held up the Neighborhood Market, on NE Sandy Boulevard and 90th Avenue. That led to an arrest which ended their criminal escapades.

“These individuals, because of their actions, caused a lot of fear in our community,” Multnomah County Senior Deputy District Attorney David Hannon remarked after sentencing.

>> To read about this violent crime wave, CLICK HERE.

Now serving a 16 year sentence for crimes, including attempted murder, is 21-year-old Kobe Branden Cordray. MCDC booking photo

After he pleaded “no contest” to one count of attempted murder and two counts of robbery in the first degree, 21-year-old Kobe Branden Cordray received a 192-month prison sentence, and is now incarcerated.

After admitting to being an armed robber, 20-year-old Lamarr Juan Luster Jr. is serving a 14 year sentence. MCDC booking photo

When 20-year-old Lamarr Juan Luster Jr. pleaded “guilty” to two counts of robbery in the first degree on December 4, he received a 168-month prison sentence.

18-year-old Angelo Dewane Luster learned he’ll be a prison inmate for about eight years on robbery charges. Coffee Creek Correctional Facility intake photo

After he pleaded “no contest” to two counts of robbery in the second degree on November 9, Angelo Dewane Luster, age 18, received a 98-month prison sentence.

All three convicts have been transferred to the Coffee Creek Correctional Facility in Wilsonville.

Not yet convicted of any crime, and free on bail, is 19-year-old Antonio T. Montgomery. MCDC booking photo

Interestingly, the first of the “Tracksuit Bandits” to have been arrested – 19-year-old Antonio T. Montgomery – was originally held without bail, then apparently released from custody.

According to Multnomah County Detention Center documents, Montgomery was rearrested on November 25 at 12L04 a.m. on charges of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm and Possession of a Loaded Firearm. A Multnomah County Court judge set Montgomery free on December 5: Release Reason: Made Bail.

It is unclear if Montgomery is still considered one of the “Tracksuit Bandits”.

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