A large-scale operation targeting stolen vehicles across the Portland metropolitan area on July 28, 2025, has resulted in the recovery of numerous vehicles, multiple arrests, and the seizure of firearms. The extensive effort, dubbed a stolen vehicle operation (SVO), brought together a coalition of law enforcement agencies and a community group, focusing intensely on East Portland and the Gresham border.
Coordinated Multi-Agency Response
The successful operation was a testament to inter-agency collaboration, with participation from the Portland Police Bureau, Gresham Police Department, Port of Portland, Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, and the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Auto Theft Task Force. Support also came from the Vancouver Police Department, extending the reach across state lines, and the community-focused group PDX Stolen Cars, highlighting a united front against vehicle theft.
The East Precinct of the Portland Police Bureau served as the host for the day’s activities, coordinating the broad sweep across targeted areas. The operation’s focus on East Portland and the adjacent Gresham border aimed to dismantle a significant portion of the region’s stolen vehicle network.
Significant Recoveries and Seizures
The comprehensive SVO yielded impressive results, directly addressing the pervasive issue of vehicle theft in the metropolitan area. In total, seven stolen vehicles were recovered, representing a substantial impact on criminal operations. Alongside the vehicle recoveries, law enforcement officers seized three firearms. The operation also led to nine individuals being taken into custody.
Further successes included the execution of six warrants, demonstrating the thoroughness of the investigative groundwork laid for the operation. The multi-agency team also addressed seven instances where vehicles attempted to evade contact, a common tactic employed by those in possession of stolen vehicles. These attempts to elude law enforcement led to two pursuits.
The operation achieved a notable efficiency, demonstrating a strong ratio of 1:4 in terms of stops made relative to the number of stolen vehicles contacted. This statistic indicates a focused and effective approach by the officers involved.
Key Incident and Arrest
One particularly significant event during the operation involved an Oregon State Police Trooper who initially spotted a stolen vehicle near the intersection of Northeast 99th Avenue and Glisan Street. The driver of the vehicle, later identified as 35-year-old Felipe Cazares of Hillsboro, initiated a dangerous flight from the trooper.
Cazares’s attempt to evade law enforcement was characterized by reckless driving, which resulted in property damage as he navigated through the city. The pursuit concluded when the stolen vehicle crashed near Southeast 146th Avenue and Division Street. Following the crash, Cazares abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot.
However, his escape was short-lived. Law enforcement officers quickly apprehended him following the foot pursuit. A subsequent search of the recovered stolen vehicle revealed a critical piece of evidence: a loaded semi-automatic shotgun-style rifle. Further examination of the firearm indicated that its serial numbers had been obliterated, a common practice used by criminals to conceal the weapon’s origin and prevent tracing.
The successful execution of this large-scale stolen vehicle operation underscores the ongoing commitment of multiple law enforcement agencies and community partners to combat vehicle theft and related criminal activity in the Portland metropolitan area. The recovery of firearms and the apprehension of individuals involved highlight the broader impact of such coordinated efforts in enhancing public safety.
