Federal task force launched to combat carjacking in Oregon

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – More than six months after police arrested two teens for trying to carjack a Gresham mother, a federal task force will launch to tackle these crimes.

Oregon and Washington are among seven states where the Department of Justice plans to launch carjacking task forces thanks to positive results with similar approaches in at least three other states.

The DOJ reports that Chicago, Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia saw an average 29% fall in carjacking since these task forces were implemented between 2022 and 2023.

“We are pleased to join our Justice Department colleagues from across the country in taking this important, targeted step to address carjacking, a dangerous, violent crime,” Oregon District Attorney Natalie Wight said.

Last September, a woman said two teens, aged 15 and 14, targeted her Kia near 1900 NW Florence Avenue on Sept. 23, 2023, but ran off when the woman approached.

That woman, Lindsey, previously told KOIN 6 News she noticed something was wrong when she heard the alarm and saw the car door was left wide open. She said the teens then came back for something they left behind.

“Two boys, they come walking down the street, hoods on, covered, masks on. ‘Hey, you seen a phone?’ Casual as can be. I said, ‘Yeah, where you left it when you were trying to steal the car. It’s still in the front seat.’”

Lindsey said one of the teens became agitated and pulled a gun, threatening to shoot her if she didn’t give back the phone.

"Your only thought is 'I'm going to die' and 'I can't die, because I don't want my kids to be without me,'" she said, reflecting months later.

After screaming for help, Lindsey said police arrived with drones and dogs to capture the teens. Officers at the scene said they recovered the gun.

"Carjackings are very impactful crimes. We value our regional partnerships to combat and deter violent crime and stolen vehicle activity," Jarom Sweazey, Gresham Police Department said. "We look forward to the opportunity to partner with the Oregon task force to further these efforts."

Law enforcement says carjackings aren't uniformly tracked, but state and federal data suggest auto robberies have decreased in recent years in Oregon. However, room for improvement remains.

"While we are still in the early stages of discussing our role in the task force, the Portland Police Bureau knows that carjackings, or robberies of vehicles, are an ongoing problem in Portland and in many cities around the country," Portland police Sgt. Kevin Allen said. "They’re relatively rare, but terrifying when they happen."

But Lindsey said carjackings are still a constant problem in her neighborhood and these added resources are needed.

“You want to trust that your car sitting outside is going to be safe, and you now have to be terrified that, 'Is it still gonna be here when I come out of Walmart? Is it still gonna be here when I come out of the doctor?' and having these task forces will help quite a lot,” she said. “It seems to be one of our main crimes around here."