At Least Six Portland Bars Have Been Robbed in the Last Month

There’s been a rash of armed robberies at North Portland bars in the last few weeks, including Mock Crest Tavern, Cosmo Lounge, and Tulip Shop Tavern. KGW reports that at least three of them occurred over this last weekend and on Monday — Mock Crest Tavern, Lombard Pub, and Darcy’s all reported similar robberies, with multiple gunmen entering each place between the hours of 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. No one has been injured, and no suspects have been named. Portland Police told KGW that while there were similarities in the crimes, there was no clear connection made, as of yet.

Every bar targeted has video poker machines, and the story shares some resemblances to a string of robberies from the summer of 2017. Though two men were prosecuted for the robberies back in early 2018, they were both acquitted. Still, Portland police sergeant Kevin Allen says it’s “too early to draw any conclusions,” noting that Portland has had 1,100 robberies reported over the past year.

North Portland resident Roy Smallwood was at Lombard Pub around 11:15 p.m. on November 30 when two armed men entered the bar and robbed the register. According to Smallwood, one broad, tall man of about 6’4”, wearing a tight black shirt that included a full mask, went behind the counter to rob the register; meanwhile, another man, maybe 5’7”, demanded Smallwood’s wallet. Smallwood, not carrying a wallet, told him he had cash in his front pocket, which the man took. Smallwood also says that the robbers demanded that customers throw their cell phones on the floor so they could not be used, but Smallwood doesn’t think they took any of them. He remembers another patron saying that the robbers took his wallet that day.

One person posted a photo of a gold Lexus LS400 to Instagram that reportedly used in the robbery. The post has been shared around, though the original poster has been made anonymous.

Those with any information related to this piece, or who know of another bar or restaurant recently robbed at gunpoint, can contact the organization Crime Stoppers of Oregon by calling 503-823-4357 or let Eater Portland know via the tipline. This story will be updated with further information as it becomes available.

Update: December 13, 2019, 12:20 p.m.
This story has been updated to include the account of a bar patron.

Update: December 13, 2019, 3:45 p.m.
This story has been updated to include comment from Sergeant Kevin Allen.

• Six Portland bars hit by armed robbers in past month [KGW]
• String of Armed Robberies Plagues Local Bars [EPDX]
• ‘We’re a bunch of sitting ducks’: Gun-wielding robbers hit 8 Portland bars in a month [The O]
• 2 robbers terrified Portland in 14-bar spree: Jury acquits 2 men prosecutors pursued [KGW]