Hatchet-Wielding Car-Jacker Arrested In Northeast Portland, Police Say

PORTLAND, OR — A man armed with a double-bladed hatchet allegedly stole a car in Northeast Portland Tuesday night but was arrested a short time later with help from a Portland police K9 unit.

John Paul Lewis, 46, was lodged at the Multnomah County Jail on charges of robbery, attempted assault, and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. His bail is set at $275,000.

The robbery occurred shortly before 12 a.m. in the 11100-block of Northeast Halsey Street, police said. After interviewing the victim, and learning about the double-bladed hatchet, officers began searching for the car.

They quickly located it in the 1100-block of Northeast 109th Avenue, police said. After finding the car, police established a perimeter and dispatched Portland police K9 Jäger to help locate the suspect.

Jäger found Lewis hiding in some bushes near the 10800-block of Northeast Halsey Street a short time after the search began, police said.

Lewis has a previous burglary conviction, police said, for which he was on post-prison supervision.

Photo Courtesy: Portland Police Bureau