Another East Precinct Stolen Vehicle Operation (SVO) involving multiple partner agencies has successfully led to arrests, recovered stolen vehicles, an illegally possessed gun, and the first use of the Portland Police Bureau’s updated pursuit policy.
During the afternoon and evening of January 26, 2024, officers and deputies from Portland Police East Precinct, Gresham Police Department (GPD), and Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) engaged in the latest SVO, focusing on the Lents, Powellhurst-Gilbert, Pleasant Valley, Montavilla, Parkrose Heights, Hazelwood, Russell, and Mill Park Neighborhoods. The SVO was held in cooperation with the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office and the Vancouver Police Department (VPD), both of which were conducting parallel missions targeting occupied stolen vehicles in their jurisdictions. The Facebook group PDX Stolen Cars also again assisted the operation by reporting stolen vehicles.
Preliminary statistics for the mission include a ratio of one stolen vehicle recovered per two stops (1:2). Eleven stolen vehicles were recovered in 25 stops, 10 arrests were made (and 10 active warrants were serviced). Three drivers attempted to elude police and two were pursued. Five vehicles were towed and 1 gun was recovered. Additional data may be added after reports are compiled.
Among the highlights of the SVO were:
At 3:34p.m., East Precinct officers were behind a vehicle in the area of Southeast Powell Boulevard and Southeast 122nd Avenue when the driver preemptively eluded them, drove around the block, then pulled over. The driver, Aaron S. Cox, 34, was arrested after being found illegally possessing a loaded handgun (photo). He was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center (MCDC) on charges of Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, and Possession of a Loaded Firearm in Public (city code). A passenger, Raymond D. Kerbs, 52, was arrested on a felony warrant.
At 4:48p.m., Vancouver Police Department officers notified the SVO units that a red 2020 Mitsubishi had been recently stolen and was southbound on I-205 crossing the Glenn Jackson Bridge into Portland. Officers located the stolen vehicle and attempted to stop it at 5:05p.m. near Northeast 122nd Avenue and Northeast Shaver Street. The driver did not stop for police and the officers initiated a traffic pursuit under PPB’s updated pursuit policy. The driver eluded eastbound on Northeast Marine Drive. Because officers were behind it with lights and sirens activated, other motorists were alerted to the dangerously driving suspect and pulled out of the way.
The suspect sideswiped one other occupied vehicle. A Multnomah County unit was able to spike the tires, causing a controlled deflation. That helped a PPB officer successfully perform a pursuit intervention technique, spinning the car to a stop at Northeast 138th Avenue and Northeast Whitaker Way. The driver surrendered immediately, and a Gresham Police officer arrived to assist in getting the suspect into custody. The pursuit lasted 3 minutes and no injuries were reported. The driver, Angel M. Rodriguez, 23, of Vancouver, Washington, was booked into MCDC on charges of Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, Attempt to Elude by Vehicle, Reckless Driving, Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants (alcohol), Reckless Endangering another Person (10 counts), Failure to Perform the Duties of a Driver (property damage), Unlawful Entry into a Vehicle, Criminal Mischief in the First Degree.
PPB’s new pursuit policy was announced in December of 2023, and went into effect earlier this month. The new policy lowered the threshold for authorizing police pursuits, but also holds members to a clear standard to manage pursuits and carefully consider the public safety risk they pose. More information about the pursuit policy is available here: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/police/news/read.cfm?id=513216
The SVO missions continue to show positive results not only in recovering stolen vehicles and arresting offenders, but they have played a role in reducing the rate of stolen vehicles. Statistics are not fully compiled for 2023 yet, but the most recent available data show significant improvements citywide. There has been a 25% reduction in stolen vehicles reported to PPB last year compared to the year before. From January through November of 2023, there were 7,454 stolen vehicles reported to PPB. For that same time period in 2022, there were 10,004. That is 2,550 fewer stolen vehicles.
Comparing just the month-over-month, the reduction is even more significant. In November 2022, there were 966 stolen vehicles reported, in November 2023 it was 538. That’s 428 fewer stolen vehicles, a 44% reduction.
While these are encouraging trends, there is still work to be done. PPB plans to continue with its efforts to address the stolen vehicle problem and the crimes that often accompany them. Stolen vehicles are often used by suspects in other crimes including shootings, illegal gun possession, robberies, and narcotics trafficking.
In a recent press release the PPB said “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. It’s something that we’re gratified to see because we know reducing theft rates means fewer victims. Car thefts are extremely impactful for victims, especially those who rely on their vehicles for their livelihoods. We certainly have a long way to go and we’re not declaring victory over this problem. But the trend is going the right direction, and our intent is to continue these efforts going forward.”
The Portland Police Bureau offers a comprehensive, interactive data dashboard about stolen vehicles on their website’s open data portal: https://www.portland.gov/police/open-data/stolen-vehicle-statistics . The dashboard includes citywide and neighborhood crime statistics and trends, as well as makes/models most often stolen in the city.
