Hero Customer Stops Robbery, Disarms Suspect

PORTLAND, OR — An alleged robber at the Stadium Fred Meyer in downtown Portland got more (and less) than he'd planned for Thursday night when a customer fought back and took his weapon during an attempted robbery, causing him to flee and drop his stolen cash.

According to police, the robber escaped with only a bottle of wine.

Portland Police Bureau Central Precinct officers were dispatched to a reported robbery at 100 N.W. 20th Place just after 6:30 p.m. May 10.

Witnesses told police that a white man in his early 30s came into the store and demanded money while threatening employees with a baseball bat. During the robbery, the man also reportedly sprayed a Fred Meyer employee with what police believe was insect repellent.

As the man took the money and continued threatening employees, an alert customer dove in and wrestled away the baseball bat.

As the man fled, he reportedly dropped his cash and — perhaps so as not to leave empty-handed — took a bottle of wine as he exited the store.

Officers searched the area but could not locate the alleged robber, police said.

The man is described was 5-foot-10 and 160 pounds, with brown eyes, red hair, and a neatly trimmed beard.

No injuries that required a trip to hospital were reported.

Anyone who recognizes the alleged robber or has more information about this robbery is asked to call the Portland Police Bureau non-emergency line at 503-823-3333.

Suspect Surveillance Image via Portland Police Bureau