Another large-scale stolen vehicle operation involving multiple agencies resulted in the recovery of multiple stolen vehicles, seizure of two illegally possessed guns, and yielded a low stop ratio of 1 stolen vehicle for every 2 stops.
On Friday, May 10, 2024, officers assigned to Portland Police Bureau’s East Precinct ran a multi-agency Stolen Vehicle Operation (SVO) with the Gresham Police Department, Port of Portland Police Department, Multnomah County District Attorney’s Auto Theft Task Force, PPB’s K9 Unit, and PPB’s Air Support Unit.
The truncated multi-agency collaborative effort resulted in the recovery of 4 stolen vehicles. Additionally, 7 people were arrested, 2 vehicles eluded police, 1 vehicle pursuit was initiated. Both eluding drivers were successfully arrested and both stolen vehicles were recovered. One stop resulted in two guns seized from a vehicle, both with extended capacity magazines, and one of the guns had an illegal switch that made it capable of fully automatic fire.
After one of the eludes, multiple occupants ran from vehicle. All occupants were later taken into custody in the 9700 block of Southeast Washington Street (case number: 24-115163)
This operation initially focused on the Northeast Portland metropolitan area connecting with Rockwood, Gresham and then move westward. The operation was cut short as officers on the SVO were called up to assist with a potential civil order event in downtown Portland.
Members of the crowdsourced Facebook group PDX Stolen Cars assisted with the SVO. This is the 18th SVO with which PDX Stolen Cars have assisted. The group and have helped PPB return 41 stolen vehicles back to the victims.
The Portland Police Bureau is using evidence-based practice methodology to greatly increase the chances of stopping occupied stolen vehicles. This operation yielded a low ratio of 1 stolen vehicle located out of every 2 traffic stops/encounters. The Stolen Vehicle Operation utilizes data-driven evidence-based practices. In order to ensure these missions were informed and data driven, PPB SVO leadership collaborates with scientists and data analysis experts at the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, School of Medicine. As a result of this unique continuing collaboration, the OHSU team of scientists have provided valuable peer review and ideas used to improve the process.
Below are the initial results from the May 10th multi-agency Stolen Vehicle Operation:
7 - traffic stops/encounters
4 - stolen vehicles
7 - custodies
2 - active arrest warrants serviced
2 - gun (one with full auto switch)
2 - vehicles eluded (both captured, both confirmed stolen)
1 - vehicle pursuit (captured)
Impressive Decreasing Trend in Stolen Vehicles
Over the last 12 months, stolen vehicle operations have consistently delivered results in reducing vehicle theft rates. In March 2023, there were 747 vehicles reported stolen. In March 2024, it was 442, an incredible 40% decrease.
More statistics:
April 2023: 24.4% decrease compared to the previous year (892 to 674)
May 2023: 23.7% decrease compared to the previous year (849 to 648)
June 2023: 26.7% decrease compared to the previous year (829 to 607)
July 2023: 29.7% decrease compared to the previous year (862 to 606)
August 2023: 35.3% decrease compared to the previous year (939 to 608)
September 2023: 25.5% decrease compared to the previous year (861 to 644)
October 2023: 36.6% decrease compared to the previous year (931 to 590)
November 2023: 44% decrease compared to the previous year (966 to 538)
December 2023: 42% decrease compared to the previous year (895 to 523)
January 2023: 56% decrease compared to the previous year (984 to 437)
February 2023: 48% decrease compared to the previous year (802 to 420)
Community members can find out more about stolen vehicle trends in Portland by going to our Open Data portal here: https://www.portland.gov/police/open-data/stolen-vehicle-statistics .
There are a lot of factors that go into crime trends, but enforcement efforts driven by data analysis, efficient use of limited resources, and interagency partnerships have been key factors in the reduction in car thefts in Portland. Car thefts are extremely impactful for victims, especially those who rely on their vehicles for their livelihoods. It's not just about the vehicles, either. Stolen vehicles are often used by suspects in other crimes including robberies and shootings. Interdicting those occupied stolen cars can prevent other crimes.
For more on East Precinct’s innovative use of data, to make fewer stops, resulting in better outcomes, visit: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/police/news/read.cfm?id=462764
Photo descriptions:
-Two officers escorting a shirtless man in handcuffs
-Two black semiautomatic handguns on a vehicle hood, with slides locked back, both with extended magazines, one black with blue tape, the other tan. One gun has an illegal accessory that makes the gun capable of fully automatic fire
-Another view of the automatic pistol
-Police vehicles from multiple agencies stopped behind a stolen vehicle on the I205 freeway
-Another view of the freeway stop
-A recovered stolen silver extended cab Ford F250 pickup with shredded tires in a parking lot, doors open
-Another view of the pickup with shredded rear tire, child’s safety car seat visible in the bed of the truck
-Officers from multiple agencies sitting in a conference room being briefed by operation planning officers
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