PDX Police Arrest Kidnapping Suspect, Link Him To 4 Other Crimes

PORTLAND, OR — Portland Police say that they've arrested the man who tried to kidnap a child in the Pearl District last week. They also say that they've been able to link him to four other incidents.

Officials say that a caller to 911 let police know that they spotted the man whose picture had been publicized as an attempted kidnapping suspect.

Police say that they arrived in the area of Northwest 10th Avenue and Davis Street, searched the area and found 30-year-old Erick Alexander.

He's now charged with kidnapping but more charges are possible after the district attorney presents the case to the grand jury.

Police first became aware of the man now identified as Alexander on Tuesday December 14 when they were called to The Fields Park at 10th and Northwest Overton around 3:20 p.m.

A dad and his 6-year-old boy were walking along when a man walked up and tried to kidnap the child. the dad fought off the man who fled.

The dad and his son were unhurt.

As police publicized the incident, a woman came forward saying that 45 minutes before the attack, she had been pushing her baby in a stroller on Northrup between Northwest 9th and 10th Avenues when the same man approached her.

The mom said that he had approached her, following her, even crossing the street with her as she tried to get away from him.

She confronted him, took his picture. Eventually, he walked away.

Police later linked him to an incident in the Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhood the following day.

Police say around 5:45 p.m. on Wednesday by Southeast Powell Boulevard and Southeast 125th Avenue, the person they believe is the same man approached a 10-year-old boy walking with his mother and grabbed the boy the arm.

The mom yelled at the man until he let go and walked away. She then called police.

Police say that the fifth incident actually occurred first – on Monday December 13. No other details about that incident have been released.