Two arrested in ‘beer run’

Here’s why two men, who reportedly threatened a store clerk with a knife, are still in jail, in their attempt to steal beer …

Perhaps this outer East Portland convenience store, located the Hazelwood neighborhood, looked like an easy place from which to steal beer.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

It’s not known why two men in their 20s decided to pick up beer at 4:20 a.m. on November 18 from a 7-Eleven store at 10136 SE Washington Street, behind the 76 gas station – but not pay for it.

During the investigation, officers learned that two men entered the store and picked up two containers of beer.

“The clerk attempted to stop the men from taking the beer, at which time, one of the men threatened the clerk with what was believed to be a knife,” said Portland Police Bureau Public Information Officer Sgt. Chris Burley.

After dashing out of the store, stolen beer in hand, the suspects made their getaway from this “beer run” (a term police frequently use for a snatch-and-run theft of alcoholic beverages) in a green 1998 Acura Integra.

After officers stop the suspect’s car, they take the pair into custody, and the evidence of the crime, as well.

The duo didn’t get far; offices spotted the suspects’ fleeing car about 20 blocks east of the apparent robbery.

“An officer saw a vehicle matching the suspects’ vehicle description near the intersection of SE 122nd Avenue and Stark Street, and performed a traffic stop,” Burley said. “Officers located evidence of the robbery in the vehicle, as well as two occupants that matched the suspects’ descriptions.”

Facing two felony charges is 26-year-old Ju Wine. MCDC booking photo

Police arrested 26-year-old Ju Wine and checked him into the Multnomah County Detention Center (MCDC) at 9:51 a.m. that morning on charges of Robbery in the First Degree, a Class A Felony charge, and Robbery in the Second Degree, a Class B Felony.

Also to answer for felony robbery charges is 23-year-old Sha Lun. MCDC booking photo

23-year-old Sha Lun was also taken to MCDC, where he was booked in at 9:53 a.m., also on felony charges of Robbery in the First Degree and Robbery in the Second Degree.

At their arraignment in Multnomah County Court, both Wine and Lun learned that, in addition tot he two charges, they will each also answer to an additional charge of Unlawful Use of a Weapon, a Class C Felony.

For now, both Wine and Lun remain behind bars at Inverness Jail, each in lieu of $505,000 combined bail.

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