See how alert Montavilla residents, and a fleet-footed tavern owner, helped local police officers track down – and catch – the grab-and-run thief of this outer East Portland market …
After a sticky-fingered man swiped cash from Henry’s Market (to the left), the co-owner of Growlers Taproom takes off after him, and chases him through this outer East Portland neighborhood. Business marketing image
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The bearded man who walked into Henry’s Market, located at 803 SE 82nd Avenue of Roses, was perhaps intending to buy something at this friendly neighborhood store on the afternoon of June 28.
But, when the clerk opened the cash register drawer, the shopper turned into a robber, grabbing stacks of bills before he dashed through the store’s door.
Portland Police Bureau (PPB) officers were dispatched to the area after multiple callers to the 9-1-1 Center reported the incident at 1:13 p.m. that afternoon.
Getting ready to open for the day, Growlers Taproom co-owner Joe Rodgers hears that the market has been robbed, and takes off after the suspect.
But, Joe Rodgers, a co-owner of Growlers Taproom – co-located with the market – saw what was happening, and sprang into action.
“The store clerk was shouting at this guy to stop and give back the money,” Rodgers said. “I started after him, without thinking of what I’d do if I caught him.”
He pursued the alleged thief on foot, westbound on SE Morrison Street, all the way to Ascension Catholic Church at SE 76th Avenue. “I got up close to him and said I just wanted to talk with him for a second,” Rodgers told East Portland News.
Neighbors tell this officer where they saw the suspect running along their street.
About that time, a car driver saw Rogers yelling for people to call 911, and give him a ride, taking him north to the parking lot of SE Washington Street Alley and into the Thatcher’s Sports Bar tavern parking lot. The suspect then ran south on SE 80th Avenue, with Rodgers still in pursuit.
“I love my neighborhood and my neighbors are so good; I saw an older lady raking leaves on her cell phone calling for police; others along the way pointing – with cell phones in hand – shouting ‘He went that way’ as we followed him,” Rodgers recalled.
About a dozen police officers converge on the intersection where the suspect was last seen.
With his escape blocked by neighbors in this narrow alley, the robbery suspect doubles back – only to find a police dog waiting.
When the suspect ran into the alley south of SE Morrison Street heading west, a woman and her daughter stopped their car, opened their doors and shouted, “You’re not going this way!”
By then PPB East Precinct officers, including a Canine Unit, had arrived in the area of SE 80th Avenue at Morrison Street. “A lady came running up her of her house telling police that the guy is in her backyard,” Rodgers said.
Portland Fire & Rescue paramedics assess the medical condition of the suspect and provide first aid, as he’s taken into custody.
The theft suspect is taken to a local hospital for evaluation and treatment, before being booked into jail – later that afternoon.
“After telling the guy to stop, the cops sent the dog after him; I guess he didn’t believe that police dogs bite,” Rodgers said. The correct answer: They do.
The man was taken into custody by officers, and then received first aid for scratches from running through years and brush and dog bites from Portland Fire & Rescue paramedics from Montavilla Station 19, until an ambulance arrived.
“I live in this neighborhood, near the store and the bar where I work. It’s all under the same ownership; they’re great people and I just wanted to help,” Rodgers concluded.
Facing four Misdemeanor charges is Bryan David Mcilvan.
Apparently, the suspect’s hospital stay was brief.
“The suspect arrested for Third Degree Theft (a class C Misdemeanor) was identified as 30-year-old Bryan David Mcilvan,” said PPB Public Information Officer Sgt. Chris Burley.
Mcilvan was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center (MCDC) at 4:39 p.m. that afternoon, At his arraignment the following day in Multnomah County Court, the judge found that Mcilvan would also face charges for three additional Misdemeanors, including Escape in the Third Degree, Second Degree Criminal Mischief, and Harassment- BMIS DV.
Mcilvan is currently lodged at MCDC in lieu of posting a combined bail of $36,000.
© 2018 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™
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