Here’s why police swarmed into the Montavilla neighborhood, just after dark, on Sunday evening. Several youth were charged with “Riot” and Assault” …
An officer stands along SE 76th Avenue in outer East Portland, looking east along Alder Street, looking for a band of teenage muggers.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The usual calm of the Montavilla neighborhood was replaced by police activity on Sunday evening, November 24, following an assault at a TriMet bus stop along SE 82nd Avenue of Roses, at Alder Street.
Portland Police Bureau (PPB) East Precinct officers were flagged down there at 5:34 p.m. that evening; the incident was flagged a “Disturbance -Priority”, bringing 20 police cruisers into the area.
Officers keep watch for a band of youths suspected for committing a violent assault.
“Officers were flagged down about a disturbance and a fight at a bus stop,” reported PPB Public Information Officer Lieutenant Tina Jones.
“The officers found a victim bleeding from the face,” Jones told East Portland News. “The male victim was taken to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries.”
Several intersections in Montavilla are blocked by police as the search continues.
The youthful ruffians fled southwest from the bus stop.
As they ran into the neighborhood blocks, officers – including two PPB Canine Units – posted themselves as far east as SE 76th Avenue, and along 78th and 80th Avenues, from SE Alder Street down past Morrison Street, Morrison/Yamhill Street Alley, and Yamhill Street.
Cornering some of the suspects in their dragnet, officers begin making arrests.
“Officers detained six juveniles connected to the incident,” Jones said. “A 14-year-old, two 16-year-olds, and a 17-year-old (all males) were taken to the Donald E. Long Juvenile Detention Center, and charged with Assault III and Riot.
“Two others were identified and released at the scene, pending further investigation; this is an active case,” concluded Jones.
© 2019 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™