Robber, caught with a fake gun, faces real jail time

Here’s why the TriMet MAX Blue Line trains were shut down in the Hazelwood neighborhood …

Police are called to this outer East Portland TriMet MAX Light Rail station, when a man is reported to be brandishing a gun at people.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

Reports of a man, with a gun, threatening to shoot random strangers near the TriMet MAX Blue Line at the 122nd Avenue Station, led to a disruption of service for almost an hour on Wednesday morning, December 4.

Portland Police Bureau (PPB) East Precinct and Transit Police Division officers were dispatched to the area at 9:41 a.m. “Officers located the suspect, and arrested him without incident,” acknowledged PPB Public Information Officer Sergeant Brad Yakots.

Police remain at the MAX station, making sure there is no danger to the public.

Officer say they found this handgun – a replica – discarded by the suspect. They believe it had been used in the commission of a robbery. PPB provided image

“A replica firearm was located near the custody location, which was associated subject; and the investigation culminated in officers learning that he was being sought for a probable cause arrest involving an earlier robbery,” Yakots said.

Information relating to the robbery hasn’t yet been released, but Yakots did identify the suspect: 32-year-old Ryan Matthew Larson.

If convicted, this man, 32-year-old Ryan Matthew Larson, could face substantial jail time – even though he’s accused menacing with a fake weapon.

Larson was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center (MCDC) at 4:00 p.m. that afternoon on numerous charges including robbery, interfering with public transportation, and disorderly conduct.

At his arraignment, Larson learned he’d been also been charged with Menacing, and Assault in the Fourth Degree, as well as a Class C Felony Robbery charge. He remains in custody on the Misdemeanor charges, in lieu of $7,500 bail.

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