Three people were arrested Thursday night after allegedly shooting at a Portland police officer, leading police on a chase into Vancouver and prompting a large manhunt in the Minnehaha area.
The incident began about 10:35 p.m. as officers with the Portland Police Focused Intervention Team were patrolling near Northeast Sandy Boulevard and Interstate 205 due to recent gun crimes in the neighborhood, according to a news release from the Portland Police Bureau. It said officers saw the driver of a black 2000 Ford Mustang make dangerous lane changes and fail to obey stop signs. When the officers tried to stop the Mustang, the news release said, the car sped off.
A pursuit ensued, and an officer from the East Precinct deployed spike strips on the onramp to westbound Interstate 84 from Northeast 39th Avenue. That officer said the occupants of the Mustang shot at him as he was standing outside his patrol vehicle, the police bureau said. He was not wounded. Officers said they found bullet casings on the onramp.
Police pursued the Mustang as it traveled on flat tires north on Interstate 5 into Vancouver. Portland police requested assistance from the Clark County Sheriff’s Office and Vancouver Police Department.
Shortly before 11 p.m., the Mustang crashed near Northeast St. Johns Road and 68th Street in the Minnehaha area. Three people ran from the car. Police immediately detained two, and the third was captured following a police K-9 track, the police bureau said.
The large police response prompted Clark Emergency Services Agency to issue an alert urging residents in the area to shelter in place, warning of a suspect who may be armed and dangerous. The all-clear was given around 11:45 p.m. once all of the suspects were in custody.
Portland Police Homicide Unit detectives responded to investigate. They obtained arrest warrants for the Mustang’s occupants. The sheriff’s office also issued a search warrant for the Mustang and recovered three firearms and additional bullet casings, the police bureau said.
The three suspects were booked into the Clark County Jail on outstanding warrants and new charges from Clark County.
Jose A. Martinez, 23, of Vancouver, was arrested on suspicion of attempted first-degree murder with a firearm, unlawful use of a weapon and being a felon in possession of a firearm. The jail roster shows he’s also facing first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm.
Zachary M. Chronister, 27, no address provided, was arrested on suspicion of attempted first-degree murder with a firearm, unlawful use of a weapon and being a felon in possession of a firearm. He has an outstanding warrant in Oregon for a parole violation. The jail roster shows he’s also facing first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm and possession of methamphetamine.
Cuahutemoc Hernandez, 24, no address provided, was arrested on suspicion of unlawful use of a weapon. The jail roster shows he’s also facing attempting to elude, first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm and possession of a stolen firearm.
“These suspects not only put our whole community in danger through their outrageous actions, but they tried to kill a police officer doing his duty,” Chief Chuck Lovell said in the news release. “I’m relieved that the officer was not hurt, and that the suspects were captured. The bravery and incredibly effective interagency coordination that was displayed resulted in the safe capture of these suspects and is truly a testament to the skill and dedication of these professional police officers. We’re extremely grateful for the assistance of the Clark County Sheriff’s Office and the Vancouver Police Department.”
