PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Two armed robbery suspects are in custody but another remains on the loose as a heavy police presence shut down an area surrounding NE 162nd and Sandy Boulevard.
Shortly before 4 p.m. someone at the Troutdale outlet mall called authorities to report 3 people used a gun to rob a retail store. The suspects took off in a gold Mercedes after they allegedly pulled a gun on a mall security guard.
Deputies spotted the car and tried to make a traffic stop but the Mercedes driver kept going. Dispatch audio obtained by KOIN 6 News said the driver was “weaving all over the road between Number One and Number Two lane.”
As law enforcement pursued, “shots were fired from the suspect vehicle,” the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office said.
Deputies did not return fire, officials said. However, one of the law enforcement vehicles was struck by a bullet.
At one point, deputies laid spike strips on the highway. Though the Mercedes didn’t stop, the strips slowed the car down.
“The spike strip used on Interstate 84 was successful in popping at least one tire on the vehicle, so that did slow down the pursuit,” Multnomah County Sgt. Brandon Pedro said.
As the suspects headed west on Sandy it collided with another vehicle. Two suspects were taken into custody right away while the third is still being sought. That person is described as “a white female, last seen wearing black pants and a grey hooded sweatshirt.”
The driver of the other vehicle suffered minor injuries and was taken to the hospital for treatment.
Below: Multnomah County deputies press conference on Troutdale armed robbery, pursuit
At a briefing around 6 p.m., Pedro said the reason they pursued these suspects is because it was an armed robbery.
“Had it been a low level crime we would have pulled back,” he said. The pursuit included Multnomah County deputies and Gresham police, and Portland police joined near the end, he said.
At least one bullet hit a pursuing law enforcement car, Pedro said, but no deputies or police officers were injured.
The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office advised motorists to avoid the area “as many roads are closed.” The roads between NE 158th and NE 162nd remained closed during the investigation.
KOIN 6 News will continue to follow this story.