UPDATE: Suspects Victimizing People With False Car Emergency Ruse

Portland Police Badge

March 06, 2023 14:04

On Sunday, March 5, 2023, at 12:09 p.m., Central Precinct officers were dispatched to the 7800 Block of Southeast Oaks Park Way on the report of a theft. The victim told an officer that the driver of a silver Subaru with no plates told her to pull over because her gas tank was smoking. The victim pulled over and the man driving the other vehicle began talking with her. While the victim was distracted, a juvenile got out of the suspect vehicle, went around the passenger side of the victim's car, and stole her purse. The suspects quickly got back into the Subaru and drove off.

Later in the afternoon, officers were conducting a follow-up investigation into this case in the area of Southeast 48th Avenue and Southeast Crystal Springs Boulevard, they were flagged down by a motorist who told them a young man and a juvenile in a silver-blue Subaru Forrester flashed their lights at her and honked at her from behind. The suspects pulled up alongside her and told her that her vehicle was leaking fluids. She rolled down her window to talk with them and the juvenile attempted to get inside the car through that open window. The victim was able to prevent his entry and the suspects drove off.

On Sunday, March 5, 2023, at 12:29 p.m., a victim called 911 to report that a silver or blue Subaru Forester pulled alongside her while she was sitting in her car. The driver yelled that the back of the woman's vehicle was leaking fluids. The driver motioned for the victim to inspect the leak. The victim got out of her car and walked to the back, at which time a juvenile jumped in to the driver's seat and drove off.

On Sunday, March 5, 2023, at 12:33 p.m., a 911 caller reported that earlier in the day they were driving in the area of Southeast Crystal Springs Boulevard and Southeast 42nd Avenue when a "silver-bluish grey" Subaru pulled in front of them in an attempt to get them to pull over. The caller was safely able to drive around the suspects. The caller saw that the Subaru did not have license plates.

The victims in all of these cases described the driver as a black man in his late teens to early twenties, and his accomplice as a black juvenile male around 14-years old.

Neither of the suspects from these incidents are in custody. Anyone who has information on any of these cases is asked to call the non-emergency number at (503)823-3333 or email crimetips@police.portlandoregon.gov .

###PPB###

***Original Message Below***

On Sunday, March 5, 2023, the Portland Police Bureau responded to three separate calls for service where two suspects are driving around, distracting other drivers and taking that opportunity to victimize them.

The first incident (23-58447) was reported at 12:09 p.m. to Central Precinct officers. The victim said two suspects got her attention by saying her gas tank was smoking. When the person got out to inspect their vehicle, the suspect passenger got out and stole the victim’s purse.

The second incident (23-58467) was reported at 12:29 p.m. to Central Precinct officers. The victim in this case said two male suspects told the victim their car was on fire. When that person got out of their car to inspect the problem, the suspects jumped in and stole the victim’s car.

The third incident (23-58477) was reported at 12:41 p.m. to East Precinct officers. In this incident, the suspects pulled in front of a driver in an attempt to get them to stop but the person was able to get around the suspects and continue on. The suspects and vehicle description was similar to the previous incidents.

This is an ongoing investigation and additional information is limited at this time. The PPB wanted to release this information soon to notify the public and reduce further thefts by these suspects. The PPB is asking the community to please be aware of your surroundings and be careful when things like this occur. Please get yourself to a safe, public place to inspect your vehicle if possible. Please report suspicious activity like this to the non-emergency number 503-823-3333 or 911 in the case of an emergency.

###PPB###

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