A downtown Portland robbery suspect did not get far Wednesday after a quick-thinking teller quietly slipped a GPS tracker into his haul of cash, leading officers straight to him and the backpack full of money he was allegedly carrying.
According to court documents, the 41-year-old man walked into a Trailhead Credit Union branch and allegedly told employees, "alright listen up, this is a robbery" before leaving with more than $4,000. Police later tracked him down and arrested him without incident. Officers say they recovered the stolen cash in a backpack the suspect had with him.
As reported by KOIN, court records identify the suspect as Boldragon Plexico, 41. Investigators say Plexico entered the Trailhead Credit Union at 221 NW Second Ave just after 2 p.m. A teller slipped a GPS device into the cash before he left, and the bank’s alarm company fed officers real-time location updates that led them to a man matching the suspect description near 1699 SE Water Ave.
GPS trackers prove useful
Hidden GPS trackers have quietly become one of law enforcement’s favorite tools in old-school bank heists. Tellers or security staff tuck the devices into stacks of bills, then watch from a safe distance as the signal guides officers to the suspect.
In one high-profile case, a teller’s tracker led Baltimore investigators straight to a repeat offender who had robbed the same bank twice in a week, according to CBS News Baltimore. The approach is part of a broader push by banks and alarm companies to use technology to shrink the gap between a robbery and an arrest.
Suspect’s record and next steps
According to KOIN, Plexico previously pleaded guilty in Nevada in 2023 to battery with intent to commit burglary and was granted parole in March 2026. As of Wednesday, local prosecutors had not publicly detailed any charges in the Portland case. Court records are expected to determine the next steps.
Authorities say the arrest highlights how alarm systems, staff training, and a bit of stealth tech can work together to quickly recover stolen cash. No injuries were reported among downtown customers or staff during the incident, and investigators say the case appears limited to this single alleged robbery.
