Woman Throws Toddler Into Stranger's Car While Running From Portland Police

PORTLAND, OR — A man and woman were arrested, and a toddler is in Child Protective Services custody, following a car chase and crash in Northeast Portland Monday afternoon.

The two adult suspects have not yet been formally identified by police, but they have reportedly been lodged at the Multnomah County Jail.

After recording on surveillance video the theft of two leaf blowers from his property, a man reportedly called 911 when he found what he believed was the same maroon-colored 1998 GMC truck used in the theft at a Northeast Portland Fred Meyer, located at 1111 N.E. 102nd Ave.

In tracking down the license plate for the GMC given by the 911 caller, police determined the vehicle was also stolen.

When officers arrived at the Fred Meyer, the GMC driver reportedly sped off, crashing over a median with shrubbery as he escaped. Officers reportedly attempted to end the pursuit quickly, but the driver managed to elude police until he voluntarily bailed while traveling north on Northeast 102nd Avenue, officials said, leaving the truck to roll into a fence at a house near Northeast Halsey Street.

After the GMC crashed into the fence, a female passenger reportedly emerged with a 2-year-old child in her arms and began running from police.

As the woman ran from officers, she reportedly tugged at the door handles of passing cars until she got one open and threw her toddler inside. The woman then allegedly turned and attacked a pursuing officer before being arrested. The male GMC driver was arrested a short distance from where the truck crashed into the fence, police said.

Two officers involved in the foot pursuits of both the driver and the passenger were taken to hospital for minor injuries, police said.

The passenger was taken to hospital for a "pre-existing non-life-threatening injury," and the driver was taken to hospital after reportedly telling officers that he'd swallowed heroin before his arrest.

The 2-year-old was uninjured, police said, and is now in the custody of Child Protective Services.

This post will be updated when the suspects have been identified.

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