Deputies Capture Home Invasion Suspect after Pursuit

Photo: Washington County Sheriff’s Office

(HILLSBORO, Ore.) - On Wednesday at 8:12pm Sheriff’s deputies responded to a home invasion robbery in the 6800 block of SW River Road in unincorporated Washington County south of the City of Hillsboro. A 35 year old woman called 911 to report that a man had smashed through her back door and stole her 2001 Dodge Caravan.

Deputies later learned that the suspect, 24-year-old Jonathan Marc Poland from Washington State, had smashed the glass on the back door of the victim’s house with a hammer and then reached in and unlocked the door.

The victim reported that she was home alone with her two children, a seven-year-old boy and a five-year-old girl, when Mr. Poland broke into her house. She said she armed herself with a knife and kept a table between her and the suspect. Her children were in bed but reported that they heard the commotion. Mr. Poland took the victims car keys off the wall and fled from the house through the front door. The victim was not harmed during the incident.

Deputies approaching the area spotted the stolen Caravan headed East on SW Farmington Road near SW River Road. The suspect immediately sped up and attempted to elude the deputies. The suspect led the deputies on a pursuit into the community of Aloha. Spike strips were waiting for Mr. Poland at SW Farmington Road and SW 185th Avenue. Two Oregon State Troopers fell in behind the pursuing deputies at SW 185th Ave. The suspect slowed significantly because of the rapidly deflating tires but continued east on Farmington Road.

A Sheriff’s deputy spiked the one remaining inflated tire at SW 170th Avenue. Soon after that a Sheriff’s deputy performed a Pursuit Intervention Technique (PIT) maneuver on the stolen Caravan.

This maneuver caused the vehicle to spin out. The suspect fled from the van on foot and deputies quickly caught up to him and attempted to take him into custody. Mr. Poland fought with the deputies until he was physically subdued and taken into custody. At that time deputies found an industrial style box cutter underneath the suspect and believe he had it in his hand during the struggle. No one was cut with the knife. Mr. Poland suffered minor injuries during the fight that were treated later at the Washington County Jail. Two deputies also suffered minor injuries. They were not transported to the hospital.

The suspect was booked into the Washington County Jail on charges of Robbery I, Burglary I, Criminal Mischief I, Attempt to Elude a Police Officer (Felony and Misdemeanor), Reckless Driving, and Resisting Arrest. He will be arraigned tomorrow afternoon.

Source: Washington County Sheriff’s Office