1. Troix Alexander Chandler, age 23, who identified himself as he is a transient, is charged with the following:
An off-duty Clackamas County Sheriff's Office lieutenant -- returning from vacation with his spouse -- was assaulted by two males while riding the MAX from Portland International Airport.
A relaxing vacation for the 26-year Sheriff's Office veteran, Lt. Paul Steigleder, and his wife, Portland Police Sgt. Debbie Steigleder, came to an abrupt halt Monday afternoon as they rode the MAX Red Line from Portland International Airport.
While changing MAX lines at Gateway from the Red Line to the Green Line to head toward Clackamas Town Center, this law-enforcement couple reportedly observed two males unlawfully drinking alcohol and smoking on the Gateway TriMet platform.
Lt. Steigleder deemed it appropriate to take a soft approach with the two males -- informing the duo that smoking and alcohol consumption while on the MAX line was not appropriate. One of the two males was agreeable and appeared to comply with this request to obey the rules.
A TriMet employee then came onto the scene and confronted the two males observed consuming alcohol and smoking on the platform. Steigleder observed the two males being uncooperative with the TriMet employee and, in an effort to assist the lone TriMet employee, intervened by presenting his credentials and announcing that he was in fact a Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Lieutenant -- and that the two males should cooperate with the TriMet employee.
This intervention reportedly seemed to quell the situation. Lt. Steigleder and his spouse left the scene, boarding the Green Line bound for the Clackamas Town Center. Unbeknownst to the couple at the time, the two rowdy males left Gateway on the same train -- only in a different car.
Upon arriving at Clackamas Town Center, the Steigleders exited the train and walked along the train platform -- dressed in sandals, luggage in tow -- to the Town Center parking lot to meet with relatives for a ride to their residence.
As his wife walked briskly down the ramp into the Town Center parking lot, Paul Steigleder reportedly heard voices coming from behind him on the ramp. One of the two suspects he witnessed earlier was yelling, "There he is, the Lieutenant -- he's all on his own now!"
Steigleder reports that the duo rapidly approached him down the ramp. The skinnier of the two subjects reportedly delivered a punch to Steigleder as the other, heavy-set male subject also delivered punches and kicks.
While Lt. Steigleder was attempting to gain control of this suspect and defend himself, several witnesses in the area also attempted to come to his aid.
At 3:21 p.m., Debbie Steigleder -- who has been recovering from recent neck surgery -- urgently called 911 for assistance and began helping physically defend her husband as the physical assault continued in the parking lot.
The suspects broke from their assault and fled directly into the nearest available Town Center department store. The Steigleders continued to follow the fleeing suspects on foot as Sheriff's Office Patrol deputies arrived in the area.
After a brief search in the store by uniformed deputies -- with the assistance of an alert witness -- one of the two suspects was apprehended while trying to hide behind a clothing display. Deputies continued searching for the second suspect, who remained at large after knowingly physically attacking a law-enforcement official. . The second suspect was taken into custody while navigating through a shopping aisle of the department store.
A search of the suspects and their belongings revealed evidence of what is believed to be marijuana, beer and a suspicious white powdery substance. All these items have been retained as evidence.
No serious physical injuries were reported as a result of this reported assault. This is very fortunate, considering that investigators believe at least one of the suspects involved in this assault was armed with a rock during the attack.
The two apprehended suspects were then transported to Clackamas County Jail and lodged on the following criminal charges:
1. Troix Alexander Chandler, age 23, who identified himself as he is a transient, is charged with the following:
2. Jonathan James Andrews, age 22, with an address on SE Stark Street in Portland, is charged with the following:
Arraignment for both subjects is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2010, at 3 p.m. in Clackamas County Circuit Court in Oregon City.
As a result of this off-duty incident, the Sheriff's Office will conduct an administrative review to ensure compliance with policies and procedures.
Please refer to Clackamas County Sheriff's Case number #10-23717+
[END]
Contact Info:
Jim Strovink, Detective
Public Information Officer
Clackamas County Sheriff's Office