A reported stolen family car at a Gresham trampoline park turned into a full freeway spectacle on Interstate 84, with officers from multiple agencies using spike strips and a coordinated box-in to finally pin the vehicle down. Video released afterward shows four people being arrested, including a 13-year-old who was first thought to be a kidnapping victim and later accused of helping plan the theft.
Gresham Police Share Reel Of Fast-Moving Call
The Gresham Police Department posted a short reel on April 8 that follows officers responding to a report that a vehicle had been taken from the Sky Zone Trampoline Park parking lot in the 2900 block of Northeast Hogan Drive, according to the Gresham Police Department. A family member told police the car was gone and believed the 13-year-old inside had been abducted, triggering an all-hands, rapid response.
Chase Jumps Onto I-84 As More Agencies Join In
Responding officers soon spotted the vehicle and followed it onto eastbound I-84 toward Portland, where the Portland Police Bureau air support unit and the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office joined the pursuit on the ground, according to KPTV. The outlet reports that a police drone also helped track the car as officers tried to bring it to a stop while keeping other drivers out of harm’s way.
Spike Strips, PIT And Box-In Shut Down The Getaway
Local coverage states that officers put down spike strips that slowed the car and deflated its tires, then used a PIT maneuver and a box-in on I-84 to keep the vehicle from moving before arresting the occupants, according to reporting by KGW. The reel posted by Gresham Police captures the aftermath, with officers pulling people from the disabled car and placing them in handcuffs.
Four Arrested, Teen No Longer Treated As Kidnapping Victim
Authorities say an adult male, two 16-year-old boys and the 13-year-old girl in the car were all taken into custody at the stop, KPTV reported. Investigators later concluded that the teenager had helped plan the theft rather than being abducted, and officials have not released details about specific charges.
How Local Agencies Coordinate On Stolen-Car Chases
The response tracks with how area departments handle many eludes, with Portland’s Stolen Vehicle Operations program regularly tying together air units, spike-strip teams and partner agencies to close out pursuits and recover stolen vehicles. As outlined by the Portland Police, those missions rely on shared data and regional coordination in an effort to reduce risk and improve arrest results.
Legal Notes
Because minors are involved, officials are not publicly identifying the teenage suspects and have not disclosed precise charges, according to reporting. KGW noted that prosecutors and juvenile court rules typically dictate how cases with minors move forward, and police say they intend to release more information as the investigation continues.
