‘Pussycats’ accused robber and rapist captured

Find out who officials are charging with these violent crimes …

Police arrive at this outer East Portland “lingerie modeling shop” to investigate the report of an armed robbery, and a sexual assault. Image courtesy of KPTV

By David F. Ashton

When first dispatched, Portland Police Bureau (PPB) East Precinct district officers knew they were responding to an armed robbery call at Pussycats Private Adult Entertainment, on NE 82nd Avenue of Roses near Fremont Street on October 10, 2016, at 3:18 a.m. But there turned out to be more.

“Officers arrived at the lingerie modeling shop and contacted the 34-year-old victim who told them that the suspect entered the business, armed with a gun, and demanded money,” confirmed PPB Public Information Officer Sgt. Pete Simpson.

“The suspect sexually assaulted the victim before leaving the business,” Simpson added.

Information developed in their investigation led them to identifying a person of interest, and later a suspect in this case. Image courtesy of KPTV

Although officers didn’t locate the suspect in the area at that time, they apparently had a good idea of his identity, and put out a public alert through news and social media outlets.

In the wee hours of October 14, North Precinct officers collared their suspect, and took him into custody without incident, Simpson reported.

31-year-old James Ringang Ellis is accused of robbery and sex abuse – both are felony charges. MCDC booking photo

They arrested 31-year-old James Ringang Ellis, and he was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center MCDC at 4:40 a.m. and on charges of Robbery in the First Degree, Sodomy in the First Degree, and Sex Abuse in the First Degree.

Ellis is scheduled to be arraigned in Multnomah County Court on October 17, and is still in custody at MCDC, in lieu of $750,000 bail.

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