Police still looking for leads in armed robbery at Crackerbox Tavern in NE Portland

PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) - Police are searching for a suspect accused in an armed robbery at a Northeast Portland tavern.

Portland Police say an unidentified person is believed to be linked to a robbery with a gun at a tavern in the 6000 block of NE Lombard St on January 12. The owner of Crackerbox Tavern on NE Lombard confirmed to FOX 12 that their business was the one robbed, although he would not appear on camera.

He also added it’s not the first time that his business has been robbed.

The suspect is considered armed and dangerous.

Omar Neel owns the auto shop just next door to Crackerbox Tavern. Neel said while he was sad to hear what happened, he wasn’t surprised.

“There’s always always, confrontations, and a couple of years ago there was a shooting," Neel said. “So there is a lot of stuff going on in this place in particular.”

Neel said one of his employees saw the man in the surveillance images and thought he looked eerily similar to a man they caught on their property last week. Neel said his employee saw the man rifling through one of the cars on their property, and attempting to walk off with stolen items in his backpack.

“He confronted him and he told him, ‘Don’t do these kinds of things here at all,’”Neel said. “And after that, we haven’t seen him anymore.”

FOX 12 followed up with Portland Police about the possible connection, but we’re still waiting to hear back.

Neel said he thinks Portland Police should step up their patrols in the area.

“What I would really like is to have the police you know just cruise by,” Neel said. “I don’t say every night, but at least every other night or twice a week. That would be great around this area, especially night time.”

Anyone who recognizes the person pictured or has information related to the case is asked to contact PPB.

Tips relevant to the investigation can be submitted here, referencing case number 26-10508.