Portland police racked up two arrests on Monday after separate chases on city streets, with a stolen car barreling onto Interstate 84 and a moped rider cutting through southeast neighborhoods. In both cases, the Portland Police Bureau's Air Support Unit guided officers on the ground to suspects in the 97th Avenue area, authorities said.
Stolen Car Spotted on I-84
Officers were first called to Southwest 4th Avenue and Washington Street on a report of a carjacking, but investigators later determined the vehicle had been taken after the owner briefly stepped out, according to KOIN. Portland Police Air Support located the stolen car traveling on I-84 and directed patrol units to move in near Northeast 97th Avenue and East Burnside Street, where an arrest was made.
Javier Rodriguez was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center on alleged charges that include unlawful use of a motor vehicle, unlawful entry of a motor vehicle and possession of a stolen vehicle, per the report.
Air Support Helped Spot Fleeing Vehicles
The Portland Police Bureau's Air Support Unit regularly provides overhead surveillance that helps officers track fleeing cars and motorcycles or mopeds, cutting down on the time and distance of pursuits and lowering the risk on surface streets, according to the bureau's public materials. Air crews are often assigned to stolen-vehicle operations and other high-risk pursuits, giving officers on the ground a view they cannot get from street level. The Portland Police Bureau notes the unit is routinely used for these kinds of missions.
Moped Chase Wove Through Southeast Portland
Later Monday, an officer spotted a moped being ridden recklessly near Southeast Powell Boulevard and 86th Avenue and watched as it sped off, at times swerving into oncoming lanes and nearly hitting other vehicles, KOIN reported. Air Support tracked the moped for several miles across southeast Portland before officers stopped the rider near Southeast Glenwood Street and 97th Avenue.
Aaron Bell was lodged at the Multnomah County Detention Center on charges including reckless driving and attempting to elude police, according to the outlet.
Next Steps and Where to Find Updates
Both men were booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center and will move through the county court system as prosecutors review the cases and formalize charges. Members of the public can track custody and booking status using the county's inmate search tools and monitor official updates from the Portland Police Bureau. Multnomah County and the Portland Police Bureau provide official information on bookings and press releases.
