“Target” burglar busted, after bungling bike getaway

Find out why this suspect may be in custody for quite a while, after allegedly breaking into the Gateway area Target store in Mall 205 …

A man in his mid-20s tried his luck doing some “after hours shopping” at this Gateway area store.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

No one knows why a young man broke into the Mall 205 Target store in the wee hours of June 14. But when the security system picked him up pillaging inside the store, Portland Police Bureau (PPB) East Precinct district officers showed up.

“Officers who arrived in the area at 3:14 a.m. set a perimeter around the store, and then requested a Police K-9 Unit,” said PPB Public Information Officer Sgt. Pete Simpson.

The suspect made his getaway out the back of the building, riding a bicycle he’d allegedly stolen from the store, Simpson said.

After escaping through this door, the alleged burglar took off, riding a bicycle officials say he’d stolen from the Target store.

Officers pursued the suspect south on SE 96^th Avenue, and tracked him going over the pedestrian bridge spanning the TriMet MAX Green Line tracks.

The suspected burglar pedaled his way south, until he was seen jumping off the bike at SE 92nd Avenue and Mill Street and running away. Try as he might, though, he couldn’t outrun a police dog.

“The K-9 Unit caught up to the suspect, and took him into custody with the assistance of officers,” Simpson said.

26-year-old Lance Brady Gonzalez faces numerous charges, following his late night escapade.

At 7:58 a.m., 26-year-old Lance Brady Gonzalez was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center (MCDC) on charges of Burglary in the Second Degree (three counts), Theft in the First Degree, and Interfering with a Peace Officer.

During his arraignment, five of the Theft charges, including Theft in the First Degree, stuck – as did one of the Burglary in the Second Degree counts, and the Interfering with a Peace Officer charge.

Gonzalez remains lodged in Multnomah County Inverness Jail in outer East Portland on two County “Holds”, and in lieu of a combined bail of $54,702.

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