Suspects charged for robbery series

Two people have been arrested and charged for an October robbery spree. The suspects targeted bars, restaurants, and lottery delis; robbing 11 locations in Portland and Gresham in a span of 18 days. Detectives from the Gresham Police Department and Portland Police Bureau determined the crimes were related and began a joint investigation. Their investigation identified Carlos Martin and Jessica Martin (not related) as the primary suspects in the robberies.

On November 1, a Gresham Police patrol Sergeant located Carlos Martin driving around the outskirts of Gresham. Jessica Martin was a passenger in the car. When the Sergeant attempted to stop the car, Carlos Martin drove away at high speed. The pursuit traveled into Clackamas County, where Carlos Martin crashed near the intersection of SE 222nd Drive and SE Bohna Park Road. Both suspects ran from the disabled car. Deputies from both Multnomah County and Clackamas County Sheriff’s Offices responded to assist Gresham officers. Jessica Martin surrendered to a Sheriff’s Deputy a short time later. 

Carlos Martin was believed to be armed, and East Metro SWAT was activated to conduct a search. The neighborhood around the crash was cordoned off while SWAT, supported by K9 units and the Gresham Police UAS team, carried out a systematic search of the neighborhood. Carlos Martin was found hiding in an outbuilding several hours after the crash. He was arrested without further incident. 

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office presented the joint investigation to a grand jury, leading to the following charges:

Carlos Martin: 

• Robbery in the first degree – 11 counts
• Robbery in the second degree – 22 counts
• Unlawful use of a weapon – 11 counts
• Fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer (vehicle) – 1 count
• Fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer (foot) – 1 count
• Menacing – 6 counts

Jessica Martin:

• Robbery in the first degree – 11 counts
• Robbery in the second degree – 21 counts
• Unlawful use of a weapon – 10 counts
• Fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer (vehicle) – 1 count
• Fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer (foot) – 1 count
• Menacing – 6 counts

The Gresham Police Department would like to thank the Portland Police Bureau, Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office, Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, and the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in bringing these suspects to justice. 

Anyone with information about these robberies is encouraged to contact PPB Detective Rachel Baer at Rachel.Baer@Police.PortlandOregon.gov for crimes in Portland, or GPD Detective Justin Pick at Justin.Pick@GreshamOregon.gov for crimes in Gresham.