However, read why the charge of stealing the vehicle was dismissed! You’ll also learn why there are so many stolen vehicles, every day, in outer East Portland …
After capturing persons fleeing in a reported-stolen SUV, officers track them down, and arrest two of them, in the Hazelwood neighborhood.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
On the afternoon of September 25, a Chevy Tahoe, stopped along SE 124th Avenue, between SE Division and Sherman Street, drew the attention of residents in the neighborhood – because of the “suspicious behavior” of its occupants.
Just a few Portland Police Bureau (PPB) East Precinct officers were sent to the location at 1:33 p.m. that afternoon. However, when dispatchers learned that this incident was regarding an occupied and reported-stolen vehicle, a total of 15 PPB cruisers were ordered into the area.
This recovered stolen vehicle awaits recovery by its owners.
“This is our family’s stolen Chevy,” its owner, Lonnie, told East Portland News at the scene. “It was taken on Wednesday, in Gresham.
“We put it out on a Facebook ‘stolen car group’; and, a friend just let me know that it had been stopped here, for quite a while,” Lonnie continued. “So, I came here, drove by, and saw special decals on it, so I knew it was our truck. Because it had people in it, I just drove down the block – and called 9-1-1.”
The Chevy’s owner looks through things removed from the stolen vehicle, checking for items that belong to the family.
Within a few minutes, “the place was swarming with cop cars; the people in the truck scattered, but officers caught two of them,” she said. “Overall, the truck looks okay, except for the busted ignition. But, it’s filthy inside, and filled with all kinds of stolen stuff.”
Getting evidence bags from his rig for the stolen items in the truck is the PPB District Sergeant who personally chased down one of the fleeing suspects.
A PPB District Sergeant at that location confirmed the owner’s information. Officers stayed at the scene until a PPB Forensics Division unit could respond to take the reportedly stolen materials into custody.
“When approached by an East Precinct Sergeant, one of the subjects ran; a perimeter was set up and they arrested him,” said PPB Public Information Officer Sergeant Kevin Allen.
Although initially charged with two Felony vehicle theft crimes, 37-year-old Jared Scott Martin, those charges were “Released”. But the man is still in custody on other charges. MCDC booking photo
The man who fled and was arrested was 37-year-old Jared Scott Martin, and he was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center (MCDC) at 2:27 p.m. that afternoon on two Class C Felony charges: Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, and Possession of a Stolen Vehicle.
At his arraignment, those two felony charges were summarily “Released” by the judge. Why were the charges released? Read on!
However, Martin remains in lodged in MCDC in lieu of $65,000 bail from two “County Holds”, and a no-bail hold for Parole Violation.
A female was detained at the scene; she was allowed to pick through the stolen SUV to retrieve personal articles of clothing – under the watchful eye of the vehicle’s owner and an officer. “Also arrested was 28-year-old Jessica H. Koeser; she was issued a ‘citation-in-lieu-of-custody’ on a warrant and released,” Sgt. Allen said.
“Another man was detained but released,” he added.
Sorting through the vehicle, the owners commented that they don’t understand why so many vehicles keep being stolen in Portland.
Why thieves get away with grand theft larceny
We asked PPB Public Information Officer Carlos Ibarra why it is so difficult to arrest vehicle thieves, even if they’re caught in the act – such as in this incident.
“In a stolen vehicle investigation [under current Oregon law] the investigating officer must have ‘probable cause’ to believe the suspect was aware that the vehicle they were driving was being driven without permission from the owner,” Ibarra informed.
He didn’t comment on this; but according to Oregon court rulings, even a smashed vehicle window and a screwdriver jammed into the ignition, in and of themselves, is not held as enough to prove “probable cause”.
Portland’s officers keep tracking down and trying to arrest car and truck thieves, but Oregon court rulings make it nearly impossible to put suspected criminals in jail.
“Proving it can be accomplished through various investigative techniques which vary depending on the circumstances,” Ibarra continued. “If officers cannot reach the threshold that is required by law, the subject cannot be charged with that crime,” he admitted.
Vehicle Thefts, Year to Date, ending August, 2021
Argay Terrace | 77 |
Centennial | 144 |
Glenfair | 31 |
Hazelwood | 258 |
Lents | 187 |
Mill Park | 55 |
Parkrose Heights | 42 |
Parkrose | 162 |
Pleasant Valley | 37 |
Powellhurst-Gilbert | 169 |
Russell | 21 |
Wilkes | 39 |
So, until the State Legislature changes the law, the Portland Police Bureau officers continue doing their duty, arresting and charging suspects – even those in a for-certain stolen vehicle – who judges don’t allow to be charged with their crime.
© 2021 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™