Two guns and a stolen vehicle were recovered and three people were arrested Thursday when when a police chase that started in Vancouver ended in Portland with the car crashing into a MAX train.
Zachary A. Bruce, 27, of Portland, was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center. A 16-year-old boy and a 17-year-old boy, both from Vancouver, were booked into the Donald E Long Juvenile Detention Center.
Bruce is charged unlawful possession of a short-barreled rifle, felon in possession of a firearm, felony fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, unauthorized use of a vehicle, possession of a stolen vehicle and reckless driving.
The 16-year-old is charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, unlawful possession of a loaded firearm in public, unlawful possession of firearms, unlawful entry into a vehicle and disorderly conduct.
The 17-year-old is charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, possession of a stolen motor vehicle, unlawful possession of firearms and unlawful possession of a loaded firearm in public.
It all began about 3 p.m. Thursday when Vancouver police were sent to the Alder Creek Apartments, 11614 N.E. 49th St., to investigate a drive-by shooting, the Vancouver Police Department reported. Police were given descriptions of the car and the suspects.
At about 6 p.m., police were called to check on a suspicious car parked in the 4600 block of Northeast 112th Avenue. Callers said the people in the car were wearing ski masks and seen holding rifles.
Police showed up, but the driver took off in the car, a black 2016 Kia Optima stolen out of Portland on June 11. Police gave chase, but the driver refused to stop, heading across the river and into Portland, police said.
As the car crossed the Steel Bridge, police saw people in the car throw two firearms, later recovered by police, out the window. The car hit a MAX train near Northwest 3rd Avenue and Glisan Street. No one riding the train was injured, but the train was disabled and all the passengers had to be transferred to other transportation.
Portland police ask anyone with information about the suspects to email crimetips@police.portlandoregon.gov and reference case number 23-157832.
— The Oregonian/OregonLive