On Tuesday, December 8, 2020, at approximately 5:00 a.m., members of the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) assisted the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) in returning private property in the 4400 block of North Mississippi Avenue to the property owners. For background information, see an earlier press release by MCSO https://flashalert.net/id/MCSO/140634.
Over the past three months, people have been illegally trespassing on properties on Mississippi Avenue, including in a house and on privately owned lots. Today, police encountered people trespassing at these locations.
A few minutes before 5:00 a.m., officers secured a perimeter by blocking streets and sidewalks surrounding these properties in order to limit access and help ensure the safety of community members as well as police.
PPB and MCSO coordinated their arrival and secured the properties. As police arrived they encountered one person armed with a firearm and safely took that person into custody. Officers were able to contact other people on the properties and safely secure it within a few minutes. PPB recovered firearms on the property.
Portland Police officers stood by while private property owners began to secure their property who police have been working with in anticipation of this morning's activities. Private property owners arranged for boarding up and fencing.
According to call log data, over the three-month period, from September 1 to November 30, 2020, at least 81 calls for service were placed for issues related to these properties and the immediate area. Calls for service included, but were not limited to: fights, disturbances, shots fired, burglary, thefts, vandalism, noise violations, trespassing, threats (including by armed individuals), and for illegally blocking traffic, sidewalks and access to homes. Throughout this period, PPB officers spoke with many community members about their concerns and the threatening behavior and intimidation they experienced in the neighborhood around these properties.
Portland Police worked with property owners leading up to this morning's activity. Neighbors are encouraged to continue reporting any criminal activity associated with these properties in the future. The Portland Police Bureau will continue to work in collaboration with community members and local partners to achieve a safe outcome for all.
Arrests included:
41-year-old Charles Stubbs -- Trespass II
44-year-old Lester Wrecksie -- Trespass II
40-year-old Joshua Rodgers -- Trespass II
25-year-old Jonathan Lalej -- Trespass II
31-year-old Matthew Stewart -- Trespass II
43-year-old Christopher Wilkins -- Trespass II
31-year-old Nicholas Piochei -- Trespass II, Resist Arrest
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