Suspected car thief allegedly rams 2 PPB cars

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Two Portland police officers escaped serious injury after the driver of a suspected stolen vehicle rammed two separate law enforcement vehicles, the bureau announced late Friday.

PPB Sgt. Pete Simpson said the incident started around 8 p.m. Friday when officers spotted a stolen vehicle parked in the 8500 block of Northeast Milton Street.

Officers were watching from a short distance when the suspect got into the vehicle and drove away, Simpson said. The driver pulled into a hotel in the 3600 block of Northeast 82nd. An officer and a sergeant assigned to the PPB K-9 Unit conducted a traffic stop.

“The suspect backed up into the police car, which struck the officer who was outside the car. The suspect then tried to drive out of the lot and rammed into the Canine Unit vehicle,” Simpson said in a prepared statement. “The suspect got out of the stolen car and ran away but was quickly apprehended after a brief area search. Officers checking the stolen car found a gun inside the vehicle.”

Assault detectives and the bureau’s Major Crash Team responded to investigate.

The suspect has been identified as 24-year-old Justin Panek. He was booked on several charges including assault, theft and DUI. Police say Panek also had two outstanding arrest warrants. He will make his first court appearance Monday.