A man who threatened a driver with a hatchet is facing charges. He was charged in a similar crime nearly one year ago in the same city. Crime rates in Portland have been climbing since District Attorney Mike Schmidt's announcement to not prosecute some crimes in Multnomah County.

On Thursday, April 8, 2021 at 3:21p.m., Portland Central Precinct officers were called to a threat with weapon call near Northwest 20th Avenue and Northwest Northrop Street. As officers were responding, they learned that several callers were reporting someone swinging around a hatchet and hitting a car with it.

When officers arrived, a witness pointed out the suspect. They arrested Christopher L. James, 41, and seized the involved hatchet.

Investigating officers learned that James fixated on a subject sitting in a vehicle nearby. James, with hatchet in hand, ran towards the driver's side of the vehicle. As James approached, he raised the hatchet as if he was going to hit the caller who was seated in the vehicle. Fearing for his life, the caller started to drive off. As he did so, James struck the vehicle with the hatchet causing damage.

James was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center on charges of Attempted Assault in the Second Degree, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and Menacing.

Officers used no force taking this armed suspect into custody.

Christopher L. James had also been arrested about one year prior, on Saturday, March 7, 2020 at 3:42a.m in the morning he robbed a donut shop with a hatchet.


--Bruce Armstrong

Post Date: 2021-04-10 16:15:10

Last Update: 2021-04-10 16:54:08