On Sunday, August 13, 2023, at 12:08 a.m., an officer assigned to the Portland Police Bureau’s (PPB) East Precinct stolen vehicle operation attempted to stop a car that was driving recklessly in the area of Northeast Glisan Street and Northeast 99th Avenue. The driver of the car eluded the officer who did not pursue. The PPB Air Support Unit was also working the stolen vehicle operation and quickly observed the fleeing car.
The driver of the suspect car continued to drive in a very reckless manner though east Portland. The car had the lights off at times, was running red lights at a high rate of speed, and at one point was driving the wrong way on Northeast Weidler Street, even though no police were chasing him. The driver continued through Gresham and almost to Troutdale before turning back west towards Portland.
As the suspect car was traveling west an officer was able to use spike strips on the car in the area of Northeast Sandy Boulevard and Northeast 223rd Avenue, but the car continued to flee. Officers were able to catch up to the suspect car in the area of Northeast Glisan Street and Northeast 165th Avenue, where a successful pursuit intervention technique and subsequent box-in of the car was accomplished.
As soon as the box-in was complete, an officer witnessed the suspect put a gun to his head. Officers backed away to cover and attempted to create a dialog with the suspect. The suspect threatened to shoot the police and was making suicidal statements. At this point the decision was made to have the Special Emergency Reaction Team (SERT) and the Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) respond to the scene. Due to the potential danger, the incident commander used the Public Alerts system to notify area residents of the police activity. Residents were asked to stay inside with doors locked as a safety precaution.
At 5:32 a.m., the suspect was eventually taken into custody and transported to an area hospital for evaluation.
The armed barricaded suspect taken into custody is 41 year-old Ryan Douglas Vanhorn. Vanhorn was lodged at the Multnomah County Detention Center on an outstanding felony warrant.
A Gresham Police officer assisting with the East Precinct stolen vehicle operation was who initially attempted to stop Vanhorn. Therefore, Gresham Police have become the investigating agency. Vanhorn is expected to be charged with Eluding a Police Officer, Reckless Driving, and 10 counts of Recklessly Endangering Another Person.
