Previously At Large Suspect in Southeast Portland Deli Robbery Arrested (Updated)

Portland, OR -- A man who robbed Sammie's Delli at 17218 Southeast Powell Blvd. early Thursday morning evaded police for over two hours before being arrested while trying to break into a house. 

Around 5 a.m. this morning the suspect, who has been identified as 50-year-old Juan Carlos Alaniz, was caught and arrested while attempting to break into a house on the 2600 block of Southeast 174th Avenue.

(Juan Carlos Alaniz)

Earlier that morning, Portland Police say they responded to a call of a burglary in progress at the deli around 3 a.m..

As officers responded, they were told the robber had fled in a small red pickup truck.

Approaching the scene of the robbery, they saw the truck heading north on 174th Avenue and gave chase.

A traffic stop was set up near Division Street.

The robber veered his truck into a driveway, jumped out and ran.

Police - using K9 units - tried to find him but were initially unsuccessful before a neighbor called around 5 a.m. to report a break in at a nearby home. 

Alaniz was booked into the Multnomah County Jail on charges of Burglary in the First Degree, Burglary in the Second Degree and Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, after officers discovered the small red pick-up truck he was driving was stolen. 

Photo courtesy of Portland Police Bureau.