Stolen car tracked; 3 guns seized; 1 arrested

On July 16, 2024, officers from the East Precinct Neighborhood Response Team were notified by “LoJack” of a stolen 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan that was being tracked in the Portland area. LoJack is a platform that allows law enforcement officers to directly track and locate stolen vehicles equipped with its software. The Volkswagen was stolen in the early morning of Tuesday, July 16, from the owner’s driveway in Wilsonville, and was reported to Wilsonville Police.

East Precinct officers utilized LoJack tracking capability, and located the stolen vehicle parked at an apartment complex in North Portland. While enroute to recover the vehicle, officers were notified that multiple suspects had entered the vehicle and had driven off. Again using LoJack tracking technology, officers were able to locate the vehicle as it was being driven throughout the city.

Eventually, Officers were able to locate it and safely deploy “stop sticks” to deflate its tires. Officers attempted to stop the stolen vehicle with lights and sirens, but the driver did not stop, and attempted to elude police in Southeast Portland.

East Precinct officers were again able to locate the vehicle, by now abandoned, near Glenwood Park in the 6500 block of S.E. 88th Avenue. Officers quickly formed a perimeter, and PPB’s K9 units started a dog track. The driver was soon located by the K9 team in a residential yard a few blocks away from the vehicle. After the suspect was taken into custody, three firearms were recovered. One of the seized firearms was reported stolen. Members of PPB’s Focused Intervention Team (FIT) were on-scene, and assisted further with the investigation.

The driver, Ahmed Kassim, age 23, was taken into custody and charged with several crimes: Unauthorized Use Of Vehicle; Unlawful Entry Into Vehicle; Possession Of Stolen Vehicle; Reckless Endangering Another Person (two counts); Attempting To Elude Police Officer (While Driving Motor Vehicle); Attempting To Elude Police Officer (on foot); Unlawful Possession Of Firearms; and Unlawful Possession of a Loaded Firearm In Public. Ahmed also had three active warrants from Multnomah County for his arrest, and at last report he was still behind bars at the MCDC downtown.