Robbery Suspect Takes Cab From Crime Scene: Police

PORTLAND, OR — A man accused of robbing a Southeast Portland Plaid Pantry at knifepoint early Monday was arrested after police tracked down the yellow taxicab he used for his getaway.

Kelton Victor Holmes, 33, of Portland, was taken to Multnomah County Jail and charged with robbery. His bail is set at $250,000.

Portland Police Bureau East Precinct officers were dispatched just after 1:15 a.m. Oct. 29 to the Plaid Pantry at 16226 S.E. Division St. after receiving reports of an armed robbery. At the store, officers were told a man — later identified as Holmes — entered the building visibly armed with a kitchen knife and demanded money.

Holmes fled after allegedly taking money and other items, but he was spotted getting into a taxicab in the parking lot. Officers subsequently began searching for a yellow cab with a passenger matching the suspect's description.

The cab was found near Southeast 136th Avenue and Southeast Division Street, police officials said. After the cab driver pulled over for the officer, Holmes jumped out of the back and tried to run away.

Using a K9 team, Portland police searched the area and found Holmes near Southeast 138th Avenue and Southeast Clinton Street, just more than a mile from the Plaid Pantry and only a few blocks from where he jumped out of the cab, police said.

Before he was formally arrested, Holmes was treated at the scene for a dog bite, which he sustained while fleeing the K9 team, police said. No other injuries were reported.

The cab driver reportedly cooperated with the investigation and will not face consequences for his apparently unwitting role in the alleged Plaid Pantry robbery.

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According to court documents obtained by Patch, Holmes has a long criminal history of theft and possession of methamphetamine charges in multiple Oregon counties, including a currently-open misdemeanor theft case in Linn County, for which Holmes currently shows an outstanding warrant.

Monday's arrest marks the 11th for Holmes in 2018 alone. His most recent arrest was on Sept. 18 in Benton County for interfering with a peace officer. He was found guilty on that charge and sentenced to five days in county jail.

As police continue to investigate this alleged robbery, detectives ask anyone with additional information to call the PPB robbery division at 503-823-0412.

Images via Portland Police Bureau