A Clark County prosecutor said Friday that a 17-year-old boy accused of attempted murder in a Hazel Dell home invasion robbery had been released from juvenile custody in another case for medical reasons and had ran away from his parents when the new, alleged crimes occurred.
Alexander J. Rivers appeared in Clark County Superior Court for a first appearance hearing on suspicion of second-degree attempted murder and first-degree robbery.
Deputy Prosecutor Kristine Foerster told Judge Gregory Gonzales that the state was filing a motion to hold Rivers on a no bail condition. She said an arrest warrant was issued for Rivers’ arrest in the juvenile case and he posed a danger to the community.
Foerster said the condition was warranted due, in part, to the “particular brutality of the attack” during the home invasion.
According to probable cause affidavits, 66-year-old James Reese called 911 at 6:15 p.m. Monday and reported that he’d been assaulted and robbed in his home by his granddaughter and two males. The girl lives with Reese at a house on the 2500 block of Northeast 83rd Way, the affidavit says.
Rivers and Aiden M. Swegles, another 17-year-old facing similar charges, were arrested earlier this week. Two girls allegedly involved in the crimes — Reese’s 13-year-old granddaughter and a 16-year-old — have been arrested on suspicion of first-degree robbery and motor vehicle theft.
Clark County Sheriff’s Office deputies found Reese in his home suffering from several stab wounds to his face and neck. He was taken to the hospital, where he was given a breathing tube and unable to continue speaking with investigators. Police would later learn that Reese was also stabbed in the chest, which severed his carotid artery. Additionally, Reese had fractured facial bones and multiple severely broken ribs.
Before entering intensive care, Reese was able to relay that the group stole his cellphone and wallet and took off in his Dodge sedan. Clatsop County sheriff’s deputies and Seaside, Ore., police officers located the stolen Dodge car later Monday. Law enforcement from four agencies in Oregon pursued the car when it sped off. The driver eventually crashed and the four teens were arrested.
While arresting Swegles, officers found the boy to be in possession of a bandana and two debit cards belonging to Reese, according to the affidavit. Rivers told detectives he sat outside as his three co-defendants entered Reese’s house, and he did not know what happened inside.
A court-appointed defense attorney said she would be contesting the no bail request, and the judge set a Dec. 26 hearing for arguments.
Foerster said even if bail were set in the case, Rivers has nowhere to live because his parents feel they can’t take him in anymore.
Court records say Rivers was in juvenile custody for a pending case filed in April, which alleges he took his father’s car without permission. He was charged with second-degree taking a motor vehicle without permission.
No local court hearings have been scheduled for Swegles’ case.
