Two Portland Police officers ended up in the hospital early Tuesday after a trespassing call in Northeast Portland's King neighborhood turned into a scuffle on private property. The encounter, which unfolded just before dawn along Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, ended with the suspect in custody and both officers treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
According to a press release from the Portland Police Bureau, North Precinct officers were dispatched around 1:50 a.m. to reports of an adult man trespassing in the 4100 block of Northeast Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. When officers told the man to leave, the bureau says he refused and became combative. Officers ultimately gained control and arrested him.
The bureau identified the suspect as 23-year-old Yimer Funez-Cruz of Portland. He was evaluated by paramedics at the scene before being transported to the Multnomah County Detention Center. The bureau's Major Crimes Unit is investigating under case number 26-196482.
In the same statement, Chief Bob Day said he was relieved both officers are expected to recover from their injuries and called the confrontation a blunt reminder of the risks officers face when responding to seemingly routine calls. The bureau noted that medical details are being withheld to protect the officers' privacy, in line with the Portland Police Bureau privacy practices.
Charges and booking
Police say Funez-Cruz was booked on two counts of assault of a public safety officer, two counts of fourth-degree assault, one count of second-degree assault, attempted first-degree theft, attempt felon in possession of a restricted weapon, and second-degree trespass.
The arrestee was lodged at the Multnomah County Detention Center, which Multnomah County lists at 1120 SW Third Avenue in downtown Portland (Multnomah County Sheriff's Office). Booking status and any scheduled court dates are available through the county corrections page.
How to help
Investigators are still gathering information and are asking anyone who has not yet spoken with them, but who may know something about the incident, to submit a tip through the city's online system for case 26-196482. The tip form linked by authorities is available here: City of Portland.
Legal note
The charges listed are allegations, and the person arrested is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court. Any formal charging documents or arraignment dates will appear in Multnomah County court records as the case moves forward.
