Suspect Arrested in Connection to SE Hawthorne Blvd Area Harassment Investigations

Portland Police Bureau - 11/26/18 

On Monday, November 26, 2018, at 6:31 p.m. Central Precinct officers arrested 37-year-old Justin C. Venable in connection with multiple reports of a suspect poking people in the Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard area with a thin rigid metal rod.

This investigation began on Saturday, November 24, 2018, when officers assigned to Central and East Precincts began investigating the reports of a suspect approaching strangers and poking them with a thin rigid metal rod.

During one of the investigations, officers learned a person who had come in contact with the suspect captured a picture of the suspect. As the investigation continued, officers learned the suspect in the picture was likely Venable. The Police Bureau and community members shared information about the incidents with the public.

At 5:35 p.m. on Monday, November 26, 2018, a community member contacted police reporting they had seen the suspect involved in these investigations near Southeast 34th Avenue and Southeast Belmont Street. Officers responded to the area and began to search the neighborhood for the suspect. An officer located a person matching the suspect's description near Southeast 35th Avenue and Southeast Main Street. The suspect was taken into custody without incident.

Officers also located objects believed to be the thin rigid metal rods used to poke victims. The objects were located during a search of Venable and seized as evidence.

Venable was lodged at the Multnomah County Jail on charges of

Anyone with information regarding Venable or any of the investigations should contact Officer William Green at 503-823-0344 or  William.Green@portlandoregon.gov



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