Portland: Street takeover event leads to arrests, vehicles towed

Published 6:17 am Wednesday, November 6, 2024

Portland Police disrupted what is being described as a “street takeover” event late Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Officers responded around 10:30 p.m. to calls regarding a group of people taking over the intersection of North Lombard Street and Chautauqua Boulevard. Some drivers were drifting their vehicles in the intersection while others watched.

As police arrived some drivers attempted to elude them. Officers deployed spike strips to deflate the tires of two eluding vehicles. Two drivers were stopped and one arrest was made. The driver, Oscar L. Leal-Mendoza, 19, is being held on charges of an unlawful street takeover and reckless driving.

The police response also scattered the takeover group, allowing the intersection to be reopened to public use.

Officers checking the area also stopped another driver speeding at nearly 100 miles per hour on North Marine Drive. Nicole R. Bell, 18, was being held on charges of reckless driving, attempt to elude by vehicle, and resisting arrest.

Two vehicles were towed.

There had been initial reports of what sounded like gunshots, but officers determined that the noises likely were fireworks. There was no evidence of gunfire and no reports of injuries.