9 Arrested, 3 Guns Seized During Stolen Vehicle Operation in East Portland

PORTLAND, Ore. – A coordinated stolen vehicle enforcement operation conducted in East Portland and near the Gresham border led to nine arrests, the recovery of seven stolen vehicles, and the seizure of three firearms, the Portland Police Bureau announced on Monday.

The initiative, known as the 61st Portland Metro Stolen Vehicle Operation, is part of an ongoing multi-agency effort to combat vehicle theft and related crimes across the metro area.

Key Outcomes of the Operation

According to officials, Sunday’s enforcement action produced the following results:

9 individuals arrested
7 stolen vehicles recovered
3 firearms seized
6 outstanding warrants served
7 suspects attempted to elude officers
2 vehicle pursuits initiated

The operation was focused on hot-spot areas in East Portland, extending to the Gresham city limits, where vehicle theft has remained a persistent concern.

High-Speed Chase Ends in Crash and Arrest

One of the more dramatic incidents unfolded when an Oregon State Police trooper spotted a stolen car near NE 99th Avenue and NE Glisan Street. Officers with the stolen vehicle operation team located the car again at NE 99th Avenue and NE Pacific Street, but opted not to pursue due to the suspect’s reckless driving behavior.

Instead, the Air Support Unit was deployed to safely track the suspect from the air. The chase ended when the suspect crashed into another vehicle near SE 146th Avenue and SE Division Street.

Following the crash, the suspect fled on foot, but was quickly chased down by the driver of the vehicle he struck. Police then took the suspect into custody.

Inside the stolen vehicle, officers found a loaded semi-automatic shotgun-style rifle. The weapon’s serial number had been tampered with, and authorities confirmed it was unlawfully possessed.

Suspect Identified and Charged

The suspect was identified as 35-year-old Felipe Cazares, a resident of Hillsboro. He was booked into the Multnomah County Jail on the following charges:

Unlawful possession of a firearm
Attempt to elude police
Reckless driving
Reckless endangering
Felony property damage

Multi-Agency Collaboration

The successful operation involved several law enforcement agencies and community partners, including:

Portland Police Bureau
Gresham Police Department
Port of Portland Police
Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office
Multnomah County District Attorney’s Auto Theft Task Force
Vancouver Police Department
PDX Stolen Cars, a community-based group focused on stolen vehicle recovery

The Portland Police Bureau emphasized that these coordinated missions are key to tackling not just auto theft, but also the illegal firearms and other crimes that often accompany it.

Ongoing Efforts

The Metro Stolen Vehicle Operations continue to be a proactive strategy in addressing rising auto theft rates and their connection to broader criminal behavior. Law enforcement officials say these missions serve as a deterrent and a way to engage with the community in reclaiming safety on Portland’s streets.

Authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant, secure their vehicles, and report suspicious activity. Community members can also follow and support local efforts through organizations like PDX Stolen Cars, which works closely with law enforcement to aid in vehicle recovery.