PORTLAND, Ore. — Three people were arrested driving stolen vehicles after leading officers in East Precinct on pursuits on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning, police said.
Officers pursued a vehicle in the area of Southeast 124th and Ash Street around 3:30 p.m. on Saturday. The driver was reportedly reckless and speeding. Police say they followed from a distance, trying to use intervention techniques.
The vehicle narrowly hit multiple vehicles before crashing and overturning on Interstate 205 northbound at Sandy Boulevard where it reportedly caught fire.
The driver and passenger were taken to the hospital with injuries. Police said they were not arrested, although charges will be considered at a later time.
Later in the afternoon, another stolen vehicle was tracked from Interstate 205 and Killingsworth Street to I-205 and Holgate Boulevard where police say three people got out of the car and ran from officers, tossing behind a gun with an extended magazine and the serial number scratched off.
The driver is facing charges of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, eluding and possibly additional felonies. Police said 18-year-old Jhaywon Brant was arrested on a warrant and a 16-year-old boy was also taken into custody.
Investigators said the suspects were able to start the car using a USB cable after exposing the ignition.
Police said another driver went over 100 mph and ended up in Gresham where the suspect was found hiding in a yard along with a stash of fentanyl pills.
Police also released video of a gun with the serial numbers destroyed that was found in a stolen vehicle with the help of a K9.
Portland Police say the vehicles were pursued as part of a stolen vehicle operation by East Precinct.
According to the city's Stolen Vehicle Statistics dashboard, more than 11,800 vehicles in the city were reported stolen between January 2022 and this January, with 92% of those recovered.
The neighborhood with the most stolen vehicles is Hazelwood followed by Lents and Northwest Portland.
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