January 01, 2021 20:59
Three people were arrested during the New Year's Eve riot in downtown Portland, and officers are getting a clearer picture of the scope of the property damage caused.
Severe damage was caused to two Starbucks coffee shops, including the one at Pioneer Courthouse Square and the one at 1600 Southwest 6th Avenue (photos). There was also vandalism and burglaries to The Portland Wine Company, Ben Bridge Jewelers, Pandora Jewelers, Chase Bank, and the Pacific Building (photos). This is not an exhaustive list of all the damage.
Officers continue to document damages, process reports, and investigate these cases of criminal mischief and burglary. Additional arrests are possible. If anyone was a victim from last night's riots, and they have not been in contact with officers, please make a report online at
https://www.portlandoregon.gov/police/cor/">https://www.portlandoregon.gov/police/cor/ or call non-emergency dispatch at 503 823-3333. Please reference case number 20-384961.
Arrested were:
Daniel Wuanti, 20, of Portland, criminally cited for Interfering with a Peace Officer and Disorderly Conduct in the Second Degree.
Joshua Steele, 23, unknown residence, booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center on charges of Burglary in the Second Degree.
Male juvenile, 15, of Vernonia, booked in the Juvenile Detention on charges of Burglary in the Second Degree, Riot, Interfering with a Peace Officer and a warrant for sexual assault.
If anyone has information about those responsible for these crimes, you're asked to e-mail crimetips@portlandoregon.gov.
Additionally, Crime Stoppers of Oregon offers cash rewards of up to $2,500 cash for information, reported to Crime Stoppers, that leads to an arrest in any unsolved felony crime and tipsters can remain anonymous.
Visit the App Store and download P3 Tips to submit secure and anonymous tips.
Online at
https://www.p3tips.com/823 Crime Stoppers of Oregon is funded 100% by community donations. To support Crime Stoppers with a donation, please visit
http://www.crimestoppersoforegon.com/ ###PPB###
###ORIGINAL MESSAGE BELOW###
On Thursday, December 31, 2020 at about 7:45p.m., Central Precinct officers became aware of a gathering in the area of Southwest 3rd Avenue and Southwest Main Street. As the crowd grew to an estimated 80-100 people, some individuals in the crowd began to engage in violence. At least two Molotov cocktail-style firebombs were thrown, and large, commercial grade aerial fireworks were launched at the Federal Courthouse and the Justice Center. Some individuals tried to use tools to break into the Justice Center at 1120 Southwest 3rd Avenue, but were not successful.
Portland Police officers citywide had to be pulled from answering emergency calls to respond. Law Enforcement officers from the Federal Protective Services and the Multnomah County Sheriff's office also engaged the crowd and were targeted with dangerous projectiles. Officers were attacked with large rocks, full size bricks, and frozen water bottles. Some officers were targeted by paint balloons that may have been laced with a caustic substance as it caused burning to the skin. Some law enforcement officers suffered injuries, although no Portland Police officers were hurt.
The violence from the crowd prompted a declaration of a riot. The crowd was warned by loudspeaker and social media (@portlandpolice on Twitter), "All persons in the area of Southwest 3rd Avenue around Southwest Main Street are ordered to leave to the south and west immediately. If you do not leave you are subject to arrest, citation, and/or the use of force, including but not limited to impact weapons and tear gas."
Few if any heeded the warning. During the riot, participants started multiple fires. In one, a garbage can was lit ablaze and melted to the pavement. A crosswalk signal was torched, as was various debris piled in the road at Southwest 3rd Avenue and Southwest Main Street (photos). Dangerous objects continued to be thrown at police officers.
The crowd mostly dispersed by 2:00a.m. No CS gas was deployed by PPB during this event, but inert smoke and some impact munitions were used.
Several businesses were damaged. Officers are still compiling the reports of damage. If anyone is a victim of a crime related to this event, they're encouraged to report it online https://www.portlandoregon.gov/police/cor/ and reference case number 20-384961.
Arrests were made. Information on arrests is still being compiled and a list of those arrested will be released at a later time.
###PPB###
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