Suspect sought in robbery, multiple assaults at NE Portland MAX station - KOIN Local 6

Police are searching for a suspect and victims involved in an incident in which a man allegedly stole a woman’s purse and assaulted multiple bystanders who tried to stop him on a MAX platform in Northeast Portland last week.

According to the Portland Police Bureau (PPB), on Oct. 18 at approximately 7:55 p.m. the suspect walked onto the westbound MAX platform on East Burnside at 162nd Avenue and approached two teen girls standing on the platform who he seemed familiar with.

He immediately began assaulting one of them, pushing her into a ticket vending machine, and then took her purse. A man on the platform who attempted to intervene was assaulted by the suspect and knocked to the ground. Then the suspect began fighting wildly with about six bystanders who tried to confront him, knocking at least one of them onto the tracks.

When a woman standing near the platform yelled that she was going to call 911, he reportedly ran over to her and punched her in the face, causing her to have a seizure.

The suspect then fled northbound on foot. The two teen victims also fled westbound, and have since not been identified.

The woman who suffered a seizure was transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The suspect is described as an African-American in his late 20s to early 30s, 6-foot to 6-foot-2, weighing about 230 pounds.  He has short hair and no facial hair. He was last seen wearing an orange/red T-shirt and dark jeans.

The teen girl who was assaulted is described as a Hispanic between 16-to-20 years-of-age. She is about 5-foot-2, weighing 120 pounds with long black hair. At the time of the incident she was wearing a black tank top and white jeans.

Crime Stopper s is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. Call Crime Stoppers at at 503-823-HELP (4357), or leave a tip online at http://www.crimestoppersoforegon.com/