10/08/2002

By ABE ESTIMADA and STEPHANIE STRICKLEN, KGW Staff

The man who burst into a family’s home and held a 20-year-old man hostage had said he was planning a robbery because he needed money, his sister said.

The suspect, 22-year-old Michael Marks, gave himself up after "long and exhaustive talks" with police, said Portland police spokesman Brian Schmautz.

“He was plotting this all day and I kept telling him not to do it,” his sister, Angel Marks, said. “He said he needed money.”

Police arrest the suspect, who allegedly robbed a Safeway then took a hostage early Tuesday morning. (KGW Photo)

The 20-year-old man who was taken hostage wasn't hurt, he said. Police said residents in the area should stay away as officers continue to search the area for more suspects or evidence.

"We do not know with absolute certainty…that no one else is involved here," Schmautz said.

Marks and 23-year-old Jeremy Maestretti allegedly robbed the Safeway near 82nd Avenue and East Burnside street shortly after 11 p.m. Monday night, said Portland police spokesman Henry Groepper.

Police captured Maestretti, but Marks fled into a house on 79th Avenue and Burnside. Groepper says there were five people in the home, four of whom -- a man, his wife and their two young children -- managed to escape.

Police arrest the suspect's sister, who tried running into a house where the suspect had taken a hostage. (KGW Photo)

One family member, a 20-year-old man, was left inside and was later taken as a hostage. Police evacuated homes around the house on 79th and Burnside. The Washington County SWAT team and the Portland Police Bureau SERT team were also called to the scene.

Police arrested Marks' sister about 8 a.m. after she tried running into the house. Gina Poitra, Marks' mother, and his girlfriend pleaded with him to come out. Poitra said her son was recently released from prison and needed money.

“I love my son very much, and he really needs someone right now,” Poitra said.

Police say they don't believe the 20-year-old hostage knew Marks.

The standoff closed Burnside Street from 78th Avenue to 82nd Avenue and and caused traffic tie-ups on Interstate 84.

The AP contributed to this report.