PORTLAND, Ore. — A 26-year-old man was taken into custody after stealing a minivan with a 6-year-old girl inside from Providence Medical Center in Northeast Portland Thursday morning, according to police.
On March 17 at 7:48 a.m., officers responded to the hospital on Northeast Glistan Street and 47th Avenue after security called 911 to report a stolen minivan. While they were on their way, police learned that a girl was inside the minivan and officers from all precincts responded to the area to begin a search.
The Portland Police Bureau (PPB) said the girl's parents drove to the hospital because one of them was feeling sick. As the driver of the minivan walked around to the passenger side to help his wife into a wheelchair, the suspect jumped inside and drove away.
Security staff identified the suspect, who had just been released from the hospital after a police officer's hold, PPB said. Police did not immediately release any other details about why he was at the hospital.
PPB said the security had helped the man order a cab and the cab company provided police with details about where he was originally traveling to.
Officers found the minivan parked near the intersection of Southeast 54th Avenue and Mitchell Street. Police took the man into custody.
KGW talked with a witness who lives nearby and watched as police arrested the man.
"I saw the cops pull up, a young guy or short guy run over there behind a garbage can and they [officers] just piled up on him and they dragged him out," Robert Palmer said.
The suspect's charges are being determined, but PPB said he will most likely face charges of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and kidnapping.
This is a developing story and it will be updated when more information is available.
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