UPDATE #2: Suspect Deceased in Robbery/Kidnapping Case, Additional Detail Added

Portland Police Badge

July 26, 2023 16:16

*This version adds detail about the victim’s escape from the suspect and the events at the end of the pursuit*

The suspect in this morning’s armed robbery and kidnapping case died at the hospital. He is identified as Michael A. Story, 53, of Portland. The medical examiner has notified his next of kin.

Additional investigation revealed that the victim was sexually assaulted by the suspect. In addition, she was not dropped off, but rather saw an opportunity to escape when the suspect stopped and briefly got out of the vehicle in the 22200 block of Southeast Stark Street in Gresham. At 2:43a.m., officers were notified the victim had called 911 to report what had happened. About 10 minutes later, the deputy spotted the suspect vehicle and additional law enforcement officers responded to the area to help. A Portland Police Officer used spike strips to deflate the vehicle’s tires at Northeast Sandy Boulevard and Northeast 148th Avenue. Shortly thereafter, the suspect stopped his vehicle and ran from Northeast 141st Avenue and Northeast Sandy Boulevard.

Major Crimes Unit Detectives were paged by patrol supervisors very quickly after the robbery and were involved throughout the event. Their investigation is still ongoing. If anyone has information about this case, please e-mail crimetips@police.portlandoregon.gov attn: Major Crimes Unit and reference case number 23-195557.

Portland's community notification system is called PublicAlerts. Visit https://www.publicalerts.org to sign up. PublicAlerts sends information by text, email, and voice message about how to stay safe during an emergency.

###PPB###

***Original Messages Below***

On Wednesday, July 26, 2023, at 12:35 a.m., officers from the East Precinct responded to a report of an armed robbery in the 3400 block of Northeast 82nd Avenue. It was reported that the suspect also took a woman hostage and escaped from the location in a small sport utility vehicle. Officers in the area began searching for a vehicle matching the description.

At 2:34 a.m., the woman who was taken hostage called into dispatch to report the incident. The woman reported that she had been dropped off in Gresham and that it was her car the suspect had taken. The suspect was last seen headed west, back towards Portland. Gresham Police officers and Multnomah County Sheriff deputies assisted in searching for the vehicle. At 2:54 a.m. a Multnomah County deputy saw a car matching the description in the area of Northeast Blue Lake Road and Northeast Marine Drive. The deputy reported that the vehicle had driven back westbound on Northeast Marine Drive.

A Portland Police Bureau K9 Sergeant was in the area of Northeast 158th Avenue and Northeast Sandy Boulevard where they located the suspect vehicle driving west. The sergeant attempted to stop the vehicle, but the suspect continued, and a pursuit began. The suspect drive to the area of Northeast 141st Avenue and Northeast Sandy Boulevard where he ran from the vehicle. The sergeant arrived shortly after, and suspect fired his weapon as he continued to run. The sergeant took cover in his patrol vehicle but was able to provide a last known direction of travel for the suspect as responding officers began to set a perimeter.

While officers were setting up the perimeter, another set of shots could be heard. The Special Emergency Reaction Team (SERT), Crisis Negotiation Team, Air Support Unit, and drone pilots were called in to begin a search of the suspect. Multnomah County deputies and Gresham Police officers assisted with the perimeter.

The Air Support Unit located a heat source in a parking lot where the suspect was last seen. It appeared, from the air, to be a person lying down. A drone was flown closer to where the person was to provide information to SERT officers. SERT officers, using an armored vehicle, moved in closer to where they could confirm it was the suspect. The suspect appeared to have suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The suspect was transported to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The woman who was taken hostage was transported to an area hospital for evaluation. The Portland Police Bureau Sergeant who may have been shot at was not injured. No police officer or deputy used deadly force during this incident. PPB is grateful to the Gresham Police Department and the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance.

The investigation is ongoing and additional information will be released when it is available from investigators.

###PPB###

###Original Message Below###

The Special Emergency Reaction Team has responded to a report of an armed suspect in the area of Northeast 141st Avenue and Northeast Sandy Boulevard. A reverse 911 has been sent to area residents to stay inside.

The area is closed is closed to vehicular and pedestrian traffic. The PIO is enroute to the scene. Media staging will be the southwest corner of Northeast 131st Avenue and Northeast Sandy Boulevard.

###PPB###

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