3 Cars Vandalized In Buckman Neighborhood; 1 Man Arrested

PORTLAND, OR — A series of 911 calls from separate and independent community members early Thursday led Portland officers to an alleged vandal in the Buckman neighborhood who police say damaged multiple cars and punched an apparently random person along Southeast 15th Avenue.

Joshua John Gonzalez, 25, was taken to Multnomah County Jail following his arrest. He is charged with harassment and criminal mischief; additional charges may be added later.

Central Precinct officers were dispatched just before 4:30 a.m. Aug. 23 after receiving a report that someone was busting out car windows in the 1200-block of Southeast 15th Avenue. While officers were heading to the scene, more residents called 911 to report a man was walking down Southeast 15th Avenue armed with a baseball bat — again adding that the man was seen hitting multiple vehicles.

Still before officers arrived at the scene, another person called 911 to report that a man — who incidentally matched the vandalism suspect's description — had punched him after asking for a cigarette while the man was standing in the 900-block of Southeast 15th Avenue.

Officers eventually caught up to the suspect, later identified as Gonzalez, near the intersection of Southeast 16th Avenue and Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard. While they didn't find a baseball bat, officers did seize as evidence a large flashlight and crescent wrench.

Back in the 1200-block of Southeast 15th Avenue, officers located at least three cars that had been vandalized — presumably by Gonzalez, officials said.

Gonzalez, an apparent transient, has been arrested in Multnomah County eight times since 2015, with his most recent arrest just last Friday, for which Gonzalez was initially charged with burglary before the county dropped the case.

Other charges for Gonzalez since 2015 include menacing, aggravated harassment, criminal trespass, and disorderly conduct.

Police have asked any Buckman neighborhood residents who believe their property was damaged by Gonzalez Thursday morning to call the Portland Police Bureau's non-emergency line at 503-823-3333.

Related:

• 44 Cars 'Tagged' At Beaverton Apartments: Police

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