Assault at Sellwood store summons a dozen officers

Published 12:00 am Sunday, September 29, 2024

A substantial contingent of Central Precinct officers responded to the report of an assault in Sellwood, at S.E. Tacoma Street and 17th Avenue – on Sunday evening, August 25, at 8:32 p.m.

Several of the police cruisers which had responded at high speed down McLoughlin Boulevard with lights and sirens clearing their way, pulled into the 7-Eleven store’s parking lot; others parked along the street.

The man who was suspected of the assault was identified and quickly detained, and was already seated in the back of a police cruiser, where he screamed epithets at officers and anyone else within earshot.

Westmoreland Fire Station 20’s engine crew were there as well – their firefighter/paramedics responding to check out the assault victim – then, apparently finding no need for emergency treatment, they left and returned to their station.

A female, apparently involved in the incident, walked in and out of the convenience store, and repeatedly went behind the fence enclosing the business’ dumpsters. Eventually, she retrieved an upholstered cushion or pillow, and walked off.

As officers were searching along the east wall of the business’ parking lot, one of them found what appeared to be a semi-automatic pistol.

“Officers were, indeed, responding to an assault at that location,” later confirmed Portland Police spokesperson Officer Terri Wallo Strauss. “The complainant said it was a chronic problem at that store, and that the suspect had assaulted his girlfriend – again.

“The suspect was identified; and, as the officers drove up, they saw him exiting the 7-Eleven store and took him into custody.”

24-year-old Josue Gabriel Villarreal was arrested for the assaults, and later was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center at 10:33 p.m. on charges of Interfering with a Public Safety Officer, and Resisting Arrest – both Class A Misdemeanors.

After his arraignment the next day, Villarreal was set free by a judge. Release reason: Pretrial Supervision. It was unclear by whom or how he could be supervised.

If you have information about this incident which can help prosecute this violent crime and perhaps prevent a recurrence, send it by email crimetips@police.portlandoregon.gov, and refer to Case No. 24-215961.