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 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.
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 recovered
7 – Suspects in custody
2 – Active arrest warrants serviced
2 – Guns seized (one with full auto switch)
2 – Vehicles eluded (both captured, both confirmed stolen)
1 – Vehicle pursuit (captured)
