Portland man says robbery spree fueled by drugs

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A man who police say committed several robberies Monday night told detectives he went on the crime spree because he was using oxy and owed a drug dealer money.

Patrick M. Gazeley-Romney appeared in court on Wednesday where he was arraigned on four counts of first-degree robbery with a firearm, one count of attempted burglary with a firearm and unlawful use of a firearm.

According to the probable cause affidavit filed against Gazeley-Romney, he told robbery detective Ken Reynolds that he got a letter from his drug dealer at his parent’s home demanding that he pay up. Gazeley-Romney told Reynolds he was concerned about his family’s safety. Gazeley-Romney said it “was time to start making money.”

Gazeley-Romney is reportedly a college student at a local Portland school. A spokesperson with the college was checking to verify the statements made by Gazeley-Romney in a report to court staff.

On Monday, at 9:15 p.m., the Beaverton Police Department responded to an armed robbery in the 8200 block of Southwest Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway. The suspect, armed with a shotgun, robbed a victim of cash and his wallet after the victim got money from an ATM, according to police.

A short time later, officers responded to Chico’s, a woman’s clothing store on West Burnside on the report of gunshots fired into the business. Nobody was injured in the business and the suspect quickly left the area.

As officers were investigating that incident, a resident on Southwest Vista Avenue near Market Street Drive reported a burglar armed with a shotgun standing on a patio. The suspect fled and nobody was injured in the attempted burglary and no shots were fired, police say.

At 10:28 p.m., on Monday, officers responded to the report of a traffic crash in the 6300 block of Southwest Capitol Highway. Police learned that one of the drivers involved in the crash had sped away from a man armed with a shotgun trying to rob her.

At 10:35 p.m., the Swan Mart, located at 4440 Southwest Barbur Boulevard, reported that they were robbed by a man with a shotgun.

At 10:59 p.m., the Milwaukie Market, located at 4401 Southeast Milwaukie Boulevard, reported that they were robbed by a man with a shotgun.

Officers were in the area of the final robbery and at 11:06 p.m. on Monday, a K-9 officer, who had viewed surveillance video of the suspect in an earlier robbery, saw a man matching the suspect’s description in the area and took Gazeley-Romney into custody without incident.

Officers searching the neighborhood located a vehicle believed to be used by Gazeley-Romney during the crime spree. During a search of the vehicle, detectives located additional evidence linking Gazeley-Romney to the robbery spree, including the shotgun.

Gazeley-Romney’s defense attorney has not responded to KOIN 6 News for comment.