String of Armed Robberies Plagues Local Bars

A series of seemingly connected armed robberies has been plaguing bars in the last month. On Monday it was reported by KGW and other local news organizations that three bars had been held up in the early hours of the morning: Police were called at 12:49 a.m. in response to an armed robbery by two men at Greeley Avenue Bar & Grill. The pair reportedly demanded wallets, cell-phones, and money.

Later, at 2:04 a.m., they were contacted again with a similar story, this time from the Sandy Hut on NE Sandy Blvd., where one armed man demanded money before a security worker apparently intervened. The suspect is said to have then fled and was seen joining with another man outside. Finally, at 2:28 a.m., two men fitting the description previously given held up The Hilt on NE Alberta St., demanding money, cell phones, and wallets. Thankfully, no one was injured during these robberies.

Eater PDX spoke with the owner of the Hilt, who expressed that his only concern was for the safety and well-being of his staff. He also mentioned that he thought that theft at The Hilt seemed like “an afterthought,” as the bar was the only one that did not have a video poker machine—a detail he thought made the other two bars targets—and it was also the last hold-up spot hit that night.

Starting in early June, seven other bars reported similar stories, including Lotsa Luck, The Jolly Roger, and The Lodge. There’s no hard evidence yet that the assailants were the same at each location, but KGW recently released descriptions of the two men from early Monday morning: “the first suspect is between six feet and 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds with a small colored tattoo on his left forearm. The other suspect is 5-foot-6 to 5-foot-8 with a medium build” both men are described as “black men with dark complexions in their 20s.”

Any additional information can be sent to Detective Tracy Chamberlin at 503-823-4783 or Tracy.Chamberlin@portlandoregon.gov.