On May 12 and May 19, 2023, the Portland Police Bureau’s East Precinct partnered with the Gresham Police Department and the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office to conduct two successful Stolen Vehicle Operations (SVOs) within both Portland and Gresham. In just two days, officers made 35 arrests, serviced 34 warrants, recovered 31 stolen / suspected stolen vehicles, seized 10 illegal firearms, and 2 illegal suppressors.
With the goal of presenting the best possible case against the individuals arrested during these missions, Deputy District Attorneys have been working alongside officers to provide real-time guidance and advice. This partnership became particularly important when, during a traffic stop, the driver of a stolen vehicle attempted to elude officers. The vehicle and driver were eventually located in the 16600 Block of Northeast Wasco Street, in Gresham.
While officers were conducting their initial investigation, they located several other vehicles that were either stolen or suspected of being stolen. Officers came to the realization that they’d uncovered a chop shop after finding vehicles, tools for disassembling vehicles, and tools for replacing VIN numbers. With the assistance of the Deputy District Attorney present at the scene, SVO Officers served a search warrant. They recovered 7 confirmed and 8 suspected stolen vehicles. Officers also seized 6 guns and 2 homemade suppressors.
The suspect who fled from officers is identified as 34-year-old Christopher Norwood Young. Young was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center and is facing a total of 51 charges.
The crimes are:
- Unlawful Possession of a Firearms Silencer (2 counts)
- Felon in Possession of a Firearm (6 counts)
- Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle
- Possession of a Stolen Vehicle (8 counts)
- Forgery in the First Degree
- Forgery in the Second Degree
- Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the First Degree
- Tampering with Evidence
- Felony Elude
- Misdemeanor Elude
- Reckless Driving
- Reckless Endangering Another Person (16 counts)
- Possession of Burglary Tools
- Trafficking in Stolen Vehicles
- Trafficking in Stolen Vehicles with Destroyed or Altered ID Numbers
- Forgery of Title
- Aggravated Theft in the First Degree
- Theft in the First Degree
- Laundering Monetary Instrument (2 counts)
- Identity Theft (2 counts)
- Aggravated Identity Theft
Detectives continue to investigate probable unreported stolen vehicles, the chop shop and Christopher Young. More charges are expected.
