PORTLAND, Ore. (Dec. 27, 2025) — A 62-year-old man was arrested after allegedly ramming two Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicles while trying to escape a traffic stop in northeast Portland, authorities said.
The incident began around 7:20 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, when sheriff’s deputies spotted a car parked near Northeast Prescott Drive and Northeast 136th Avenue with a stolen license plate, according to the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies approached the vehicle and found a man, later identified as Steven Thomas Fitzpatrick, asleep inside. Investigators said the vehicle identification number was covered. Deputies positioned their patrol cars around the vehicle to prevent it from leaving and placed a device near a tire designed to slowly release air if the driver attempted to flee.
When deputies knocked on the window and identified themselves, Fitzpatrick woke up, moved into the driver’s seat, started the vehicle and began revving the engine, authorities said. He is accused of then driving forward and in reverse, striking the patrol vehicles that had boxed him in and causing minor damage.
Fitzpatrick eventually exited the vehicle and was taken into custody without further incident, deputies said.
He was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center and is charged with two counts of attempting to elude in a vehicle.
Authorities emphasized that the charges are allegations and that Fitzpatrick is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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