'Lone Ranger Bandit' Arrested

MILWAUKIE, OR — Law enforcement authorities on Thursday announced the Grand jury indictment of the "Lone Ranger Bandit" — a man accused of armed robbery at several businesses in the Portland metro-Clackamas County area, for which he allegedly wore a mask and used a revolver.

Jay Conrad Noble, 31, was arrested by Portland police officers and taken to the Clackamas County Jail Jan. 19. On Feb. 14, the Clackamas County District Attorney's Office filed a secret indictment charging Noble with robbery, coercion, and unlawful use of a weapon. His bail is set at $1 million.

The charges against Noble stem from only two incidents so far revealed during the ongoing investigation into his alleged criminal activities, though Milwaukie police spokesman Officer Greg Elkins said Noble is also suspected of roughly a half dozen similar armed robberies in Portland.

The first armed robbery police have connected to Noble occurred Dec. 27 at Chan's Garden, 14790 S.E. Webster Rd. in unincorporated North Clackamas.

The most recent, however, was the Jan. 17 armed robbery at Dotty's, 10843 S.E. Oak St. in Milwaukie. For that robbery, Elkins said Noble wore a mask and used a revolver, which he fired one time at a Dotty's employee — missing narrowly.

Following the robbery a witness at Dotty's reported a vehicle description to police, which they believed might be connected to Noble.

Two days later, Jan. 19, Portland officers located the vehicle with Noble inside. Officers then took Noble into custody for a probation violation stemming from the revolver officers reportedly found in Noble's possession at the time.

Noble was lodged at the Clackamas County Jail for the next month while detectives continued their robbery investigation, which is still ongoing.

Since 2006, Noble has been charged with several crimes, including possession of methamphetamine, theft, menacing, and harassment.

Anyone with information that could further the investigation is asked to call detective Tony Cereghino at 503-786-7476, or email cereghinot@milwaukieoregon.gov.

Tips can also be shared with the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office tip line by calling 503-723-4949; and information related to robberies in Portland can be shared with Portland Police Detective Kenny Reynolds by emailing kenneth.reynolds@portlandoregon.gov.

Jay Noble booking photo via Milwaukie Police Department