Suspects who inspired bike bait theft mission still at large, 3 others arrested

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The suspects involved in an electric bike theft in Portland last month are still at large, Portland police say. However, a bike bait theft mission attempting to nab them resulted in the arrest of three other suspects, officials said.

The Portland Police Bureau said officers “conducted a bait bike crime reduction mission in the Downtown core, Old Town, South Park blocks, Couch Park, and Goose Hollow,” on Thursday, resulting in the arrests and the seizure of 14 grams of cocaine and two vehicles towed.

Two of the people who were arrested were for outstanding warrants, while a third is facing a first-degree theft accusation, police said.

The bike theft mission was inspired by a bike theft that happened in broad daylight on July 10 in the 300 block of Southwest 10th Avenue. During that incident, police said someone used a power grinder to steal a locked-up e-bike on the street, while two others were on lookout. Police released a photo of the suspect in hopes that the public could help identify them.

Though the stolen e-bike had an AirTag, which was tracked to North Portland, officers did not ultimately locate the bike or the suspects.

Police said they plan to conduct more bike bait crime reduction missions in the future.

Anyone with information about the stolen e-bike or suspects is encouraged to contact Portland police.