PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A traffic stop wound up turning into a standoff involving Portland police on Monday night, according to authorities.
The suspect, who was later identified as 32-year-old Levi Jon Lapage, was eventually taken into custody after he was located hiding in the attic of a garage. He is facing charges for attempting to elude by vehicle, reckless driving, attempting to elude on foot, burglary in the first degree and two counts of identity theft.
According to officials, officers attempted to perform a traffic stop on a vehicle without plates in the area of Southeast 92nd Avenue and Southeast Stark Street.
Instead of pulling over, Lapage fled from law enforcement and was tracked by the Portland Police Air Support Unit before being spiked by officers near the Glisan Street onramp to Interstate 205, authorities say.
Lapage exited the car and fled on foot, entering a home, which is where police said he was barricaded inside. The residents of the house were safely evacuated and police surrounded the home.
Inside the vehicle, police said they found a vest with armor plating, a disassembled assault rifle, rifle rounds, a loaded drum-style magazine, another person’s work identification and driver’s license, and $2,985 in cash. When Lapage was being arrested, officers also found a handgun.
Anyone with information on the case is asked to call the non-emergency number at 503.823.3333 or email crimetips@police.portlandoregon.gov. Reference case #23-34540.
Officers from Special Emergency Reaction Team and negotiators from the Crisis Negotiation Team were at the scene.