Drivers Arrested Following Street Sliding, Cars Towed For Potential Criminal Forfeiture (Photo) -01/18/25
Two men were arrested and their cars towed after a street sliding event in North Portland.
On Friday, January 17, 2025 at about 9:30 p.m., Portland Police Officers from North Precinct were notified that a group of drivers were involved in street sliding, also known as “drifting,” in a parking lot in the 15900 block of North Columbia Boulevard.
A sergeant and several officers were able to clear from other calls and respond. Using an Unmanned Aerial System, or drone, officers observed two cars sliding in the parking lot. While the drone was above the scene, a private security officer approached the drivers. Rather than leave, the drivers began drifting around the security officer’s vehicle (photo). The thermal camera on the drone was able to detect the circular heat trails caused by the friction of skidding tires on the pavement (seen in orange). The security officer’s vehicle is stationary in the middle.
After obtaining video evidence, the officers conducted traffic stops on the two vehicles, a 2005 Infiniti G35, and a 2000 BMW 323 Series. The drivers were arrested (case number 25-14990). During an inventory of the Infiniti, officers located a loaded handgun. It was seized as evidence (photo). Both cars were seized and the drivers were given criminal forfeiture notification forms.
Sergio Jimenez, 30, of Springfield, Oregon, was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center (MCDC) on charges of Unlawful Street Takeover (city code), Possession of a Loaded Firearm in Public (city code), and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.
Miguel A. Olmos-Gonzales, 33, of Portland, was booked into MCDC on a charge of Unlawful Street Takeover.
Under the new Reckless Driving law (811.140), a vehicle used in a street racing like activity is subject to criminal forfeiture. The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office is coordinating with PPB to use criminal forfeiture to, where appropriate, prevent these drivers from retrieving their vehicles.
PPB wants to remind participants that street takeovers can result in jail time, fines, and towed vehicles.
ORS 811.127 addresses individuals who are facilitating or aiding another to engage in speed racing on a highway or reckless driving and individuals who obstruct or place a barricade on a highway or assist with placing an obstruction or barricade on a highway. The first offense is a misdemeanor while the second offense is a felony if committed within five years of the first offense.
In addition to that state statute and others, Portland City Code addresses this dangerous activity.
1. Unlawful street takeover event means an activity that is:
a. Unpermitted;
b. Preplanned or contemporaneously coordinated by two or more persons; and
c. Involves one or more persons demonstrating, exhibiting, or comparing the maneuverability or power of one or more motor vehicles in a curved direction, in a circular direction, or around corners, including but not limited to by breaking traction in a curved or circular direction or around corners.
2. A person commits the offense of an Unlawful Street Takeover if, in a public place or upon a highway, the person knowingly operates a motor vehicle while engaged in an unlawful street takeover event.
3.1. Highway means the entire width of a public right-of-way when any portion thereof is intended for motor vehicle movement or motor vehicle access to abutting property.
3.2. Public place means an area, whether publicly or privately owned, generally open to the public and includes, without limitation, the grounds surrounding buildings or dwellings, streets, sidewalks, bridges, tunnels, alleys, plazas, parks, driveways, and parking lots.
See the full ordinance here: https://www.portland.gov/code/14/a30/080
The Portland Police Bureau has updated its vehicle towing policy and now authorizes towing for drivers operating vehicles without valid driving privileges and lack of insurance, and to address street takeovers.
The Bureau recently substantially revised Directive 0630.60, Vehicle Dispositions. Most significantly, the revised directive has the following changes:
1) The directive authorizes towing for certain offenses, such as unlicensed drivers, suspended drivers, and lack of insurance.
2) The directive authorizes towing for violating new Portland City Code, 14A.30.080, Unlawful Street Takeover and Unlawful Staging of a Street Takeover Event.
3) The directive provides new guidance on responding to stolen vehicles reported at tow lots, temporary holds for VIN inspections, and abandoned vehicle towing.
The most noteworthy change to revised Directive 0630.60 is towing for certain offenses such as driving uninsured, suspended, without a license, or in a street takeover pursuant to a new Portland City Code provision, 14A.30.080. This change brings the Bureau in line with both neighboring law enforcement agency common practice and state law authorization for towing. Additionally, the change was supported in public comments and among internal subject matter experts and stakeholders within the Bureau, and will serve as an additional tool for the Bureau to increase traffic safety.
While the policy allows for tows in circumstances where they were not permitted before, the policy does not require them in most cases. The policy specifically encourages Police Bureau members to exercise discretion in impounding vehicles under circumstances that may create undue hardship or risk to the occupants. Such circumstances may include, but are not limited to: the presence of young children, elderly, or disabled persons; vehicles equipped for use by such persons; and vehicles used as homes.
Members of the public are encouraged, before driving on public roads, to verify that their driver's license is current and valid and that they have current proof of insurance.
PPB has previously released a video about this ordinance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrAt64cihw4
Video of a past street racing mission: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHVll_YcqkE
Every year, Portland Police officers respond to preventable collisions. These collisions can deeply impact those involved, their families and loved ones.
Future missions will be conducted as resources allow. These missions typically will not be preannounced, so participants are warned that they are risking arrest, towed vehicles, and traffic tickets if they take part in illegal street racing or takeovers. The goal of these missions is to deter people from engaging in these illegal and dangerous activities that are often related to crashes, shootings and other criminal activity.
Find out more about PPB’s drone program, including usage rules and statistics: https://www.portland.gov/police/community/drones
Photo descriptions:
An overhead thermal image from a police drone showing two vehicles making orange heat trails in circles around a private security officer’s vehicle
A driver with his hands on the back of his head as he’s arrested by two officers
A black semiautomatic handgun with gold colored barrel, slide locked back, displayed on a table next to a magazine and rounds of ammunition
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