Portland robbery suspects appear in court in police pursuit

Two men accused in a Portland robbery and who allegedly led local police on a pursuit Wednesday morning that caused major traffic delays on state Highway 14 appeared in Clark County Superior Court.

The alleged driver, Tye L. Sibley, 41, of Battle Ground, appeared Friday on suspicion of attempting to elude police, possession of a stolen vehicle and being a fugitive from justice. His alleged passenger, Matthew P. Stockwell, 27, who’s transient, appeared Thursday on suspicion of possession of a stolen vehicle and being a fugitive from justice.

An affidavit of probable cause said that at about 6:50 a.m. Wednesday, Sibley and Stockwell robbed TJ’s Xpress coffee stand, 9320 N. Whitaker Road in Portland. They were driving a white Ford F-350 pickup bearing no license plates. They were followed into Vancouver and later spotted by a Vancouver police officer on state Highway 500 near Falk Road.

The officer located the pickup at the Ashley Terrace Apartments, 4500 N.E. Nicholson Road, where he saw Stockwell near some parked cars with what appeared to be a burglary tool in hand. He returned to the pickup, and the men drove out of the parking lot, the affidavit states.

Police attempted to stop the pickup, but it sped off, running a stop sign at the intersection of Falk and Nicholson roads. A lengthy pursuit ensued, which ultimately ended after police used spike strips to deflate the pickup’s tires and a PIT, or Pursuit Intervention Technique, maneuver. The pickup was stopped on Highway 14 near the Columbia House Boulevard exit, court records state.

Both occupants of the pickup were taken into custody. A search of the vehicle found evidence of the Portland robbery and burglar tools. Police also learned the pickup was stolen overnight, according to court documents. Sibley was also wanted by the Washington State Department of Corrections.

Sibley and Stockwell’s bail amounts were set at $75,000 and $40,000, respectively. They will be arraigned Sept. 13.