Man Arrested After Assaulting Police, Security Guard Downtown

PORTLAND, OR — Portland police on Wednesday night arrested a man who allegedly struck a security guard at a downtown Safeway before attacking and injuring a PPB officer.

The suspect is currently in hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries sustained during his arrest. He will be identified and formally charged upon his release, police officials said.

Investigators reportedly believe the so-far unnamed man was under the influence of unspecified intoxicants when he attacked a security guard just before 4:30 p.m. June 6 at the Safeway located at 1010 S.W. Jefferson St.

According to police, the guard approached the man because he was seen shoplifting several items from the store. But the man punched the guard when he was contacted and subsequently escaped.

Almost two hours later, just after 6:15 p.m., Central Precinct officers were dispatched to a reported disturbance involving multiple people near Southwest Taylor Street and Southwest 17th Avenue.

One caller reportedly told 911 operators that people were seen climbing on top of cars.

The first two officers on-scene arrived in one patrol car and immediately observed what appeared to be a fight on Southwest 18th Avenue, between Southwest Salmon and Southwest Taylor streets, police officials said.

After police arrived, the suspect reportedly directed his attention to the officers' patrol car, which he began punching and jumping on. In response, the officers called for backup.

As police tried to talk him down, the suspect charged and struck one of the officers. Another officer used a taser, but the suspect reportedly shrugged it off and ran away.

Officers chased the man to the intersection of Southwest 17th Avenue and Southwest Taylor Street, where the suspect turned and charged at officers again.

This time an officer shot the man with a "less lethal foam impact round," officials said.

After the suspect was hit, officers were able to take him into custody.

Both the suspect and the officer he hit were taken to hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. Upon his release, the suspect will be taken to Multnomah County Jail.

Anyone who may have witnessed either the incident at Southwest 17th Avenue and Southwest Taylor Street or at Safeway is encouraged to call the Portland Police Bureau non-emergency line at 503-823-3333.

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