It appears the accused bladed slasher might be a not-so-friendly Springwater Trail area transient ‘camper’ …
In the parking lot of this condo complex in the Lents neighborhood of outer East Portland, a “camper” knifes the man who is assigned this work truck, apparently after being caught breaking into it.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
When first neighbors, then a resident of the Crystal Springs Condos condominium complex in the 7800 block of Southeast 92nd Avenue near the I-205 Freeway overpass, heard sounds of someone breaking into his work truck about 11:15 p.m., on July 11, he went out to investigate.
A neighbor told reporters the next morning that the truck prowler took is wallet, and when the owner ran after him, demanding his wallet back, the alleged thief stabbed the resident in the abdominal area.
“Police investigators believe the victim confronted the suspect as the suspect broke into the victim’s parked vehicle,” confirmed Portland Police Bureau Public (PPB) Information Officer Sgt. Chris Burley. “During the interaction, the suspected car prowler stabbed the victim then fled.”
The slashing victim, now on a gurney, is about to be loaded into a waiting ambulance.
Portland Fire & Rescue Engine 11 paramedics provided emergency first aid before the victim was taken by ambulance to a local hospital for evaluation and treatment of what Burley characterized as “a serious but non-life-threatening injury.”
More PPB East Precinct rolled into the area, listening to the description broadcast of the suspect; and soon, a canine team joined the search.
Officers watch for movement in the brush as a police dog sniffs out the suspect.
The keen nose of the police dog led officers into the brush near SE 92nd Avenue and Flavel Street. “The suspect was taken into custody without incident,” Burley said.
“The suspect was taken to an area hospital by ambulance, after he told officers he had swallowed an unspecified substance,” Burley said.
The suspect’s dodge kept him out of jail for his 12-hour stay at the hospital, while the swallowed substance was cleared from his system.
“It’s frightening for the victim, his family, and residents in the area,” Burley later told reporters about the incident.
Facing two Felonies, and other charges, is 31-year-old Justin Karl Sennert.
But then, 31-year-old Justin Karl Sennert was booked in the Multnomah County Detention Center (MCDC) on July 12 at 12:56 p.m., on charges of Robbery in the First Degree and Assault in the Second Degree and a warrant for Delivery of Methamphetamine, Possession of Methamphetamine, and Possession of Heroin.
During his arrest, Sennert told officers that he didn’t have a home address; officers listed his residential status as “transient”, the accuracy of which has not been verified by the Police Bureau.
After his arraignment in Multnomah County Court, Sennert learned he’d be facing all of the charges brought against him. He remains in custody at MCDC in lieu of $575,000 combined bail.
“The transients in this area are usually pretty mellow,” commented April Appleton, who lives in the apartments next door. “But sometimes, the criminals among the ‘campers’ are violent, so we lock our doors and look behind our backs,” she added.
© 2018 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™
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