Powellhurst-Gilbert Plaid Pantry slasher captured

It wasn’t enough this suspected thief grabbed the money – he’s also accused of stabbing the clerk “numerous times”. Find out what lead to this accused felon’s apprehension …

The quiet of early Christmas Eve day was shattered when an accused slashing robber caused mayhem at this Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhood Plaid Pantry store. East Portland News photo

By David F. Ashton
Police admit they never know what they’ll find when they respond to a robbery call at a convenience store.

But, when Portland Police Bureau (PPB) East Precinct district officers answered a call in the Powellhurst-Gilbert Neighborhood at 1:37 a.m. on December 24, it was clear this crime was out of the ordinary.

“Officers responding to the Plaid Pantry at SE 104th Avenue and SE Holgate Boulevard found the clerk seriously injured. [He had,] in fact, been stabbed multiple times all over his body,” reported PPB Public Information Officer Lt. Robert King.

Police say that security video captured the man they suspect of robbing, then slashing, a convenience store clerk, on many cameras – including this one, outside the store – as he made his entrance. Store security system image

While officers secured the crime scene, they called Portland Fire & Rescue and an AMR ambulance to treat the injured clerk, King said. The victim was transported to an area hospital with what are believed to be non-life-threatening injuries.
“Officers were able to determine through their investigation that the suspect came into the store; then robbed and stabbed the victim,” King stated.

This is one of many images captured by the suspect, moments before he’s said to have assaulted and robbed the lone store clerk. Store security system image

The suspect seemed oblivious to the many high-resolution security cameras located throughout the store that later gave officers a crystal clear picture of the suspect, King continued. “The suspect is a Caucasian man with a receding hairline, with tufts of hair on either side of his head – and sunken eyes, a large forehead, large nose, moustache, and scruffy facial hair.”

With this highly detailed description – plus Plaid Pantry’s $10,000 reward – it didn’t take long for this suspected slasher bandit to be brought to justice.

Two days after the attack, officers arrested a man in the case on December 26 at 2:00 p.m.

-4 Detectives charge this man, 30-year-old, David Frank Lentz, in the brutal Christmas Eve day robbery. MCDC photo

“Detectives have arrested 30-year-old David Lentz for the robbery and stabbing of the 44-year-old store clerk in this case,” King said on December 27.

“Lentz is currently being held on a Detainer for a Parole Violation at the Multnomah County Detention Center, and he will likely be charged with Robbery in the First Degree, Attempted Murder, and Assault in the First Degree,” King reported.

MCDC records show Lentz is being held on a combined bail of $755,000.

Tips from the $10,000 Plaid Pantry reward did play a role in solving this case investigators, King said.

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