08:23 AM PDT on Thursday, October 14, 2004

By ANTONIA GIEDWOYN, kgw.com Staff

Four men and a 16-year-old boy allegedly embarked on a violent rampage in downtown Portland early Tuesday morning, police said.

kgw.com/Police photos

Top left to right: Robert Irizarry, Michael Palmer. Bottome left to right: Victor Bradley, Pierre Bass.

At about 3 a.m., authorities arrested five suspects on robbery charges in connection with a string of robberies and assaults that occurred in downtown Portland throughout the evening on Monday and continued into Tuesday morning, said Sgt. Brian Schmautz with the Portland Police Bureau.

The suspects were identified as 16-year-old Anthony Mondrut, 19-year-old Victor Bradley, 18-year-old Robert Irizarry, 18-year-old Pierre Bass and 20-year-old Michael Palmer, Schmautz said.

The investigation began when officers started receiving numerous emergency calls reporting assaults and robberies downtown. Police tracked the suspects and arrested all five on the Burnside Bridge.

“Detectives believe that the suspects, wearing masks and armed with chains and knives, assaulted and robbed numerous victims,” Schmautz said.

He said most of the victims are homeless and were severely beaten, stabbed numerous times or, in two cases, forced to jump into the Willamette River, in addition to being robbed.

One victim who was stabbed in the back was hospitalized with a punctured lung. Another victim had two front teeth knocked out.

It appears the suspects victimized every person they encountered on their terror spree through downtown Portland, according to Schmautz.

At least six victims have been found and detectives have evidence indicating that there are several more victims that have not reported the crimes.

The suspects were living in a transient camp on the east side of the Willamette River and were walking back to the camp when police surrounded and arrested them, Schmautz said.

They told police they have street names such as "Shadow," "Twister" and "Hey You."

Portland Police Sgt. John Cordell said it seems like the suspects were demonstrating their authority over the weak and helpless.

Authorities are asking anyone with information about the suspects or the robberies to call (503) 823-0400.

The investigation continues.

(The Associated Press also contributed to this article.)