Man Arrested in Portland After Assaulting TriMet Train Operator

Saturday, June 03, 2017
GoLocalPDX News Team

Steven Caldwell

A man was arrested in Portland after assaulting a TriMet Train Operator on Friday. 

Steven Caldwell, 23, was booked into the Multnomah County Jail on charges of Assault in the Fourth Degree, Disorderly Conduct in the Second Degree, Interfering with Public Transportation, and Interfering with a Peace Officer.

The Incident 

On Friday, June 2,  at 2:16 p.m. East Precinct and Transit Police officers responded to the transit station located at East Burnside Street and 102nd Avenue, on the report that a TriMet Blue Line train operator was assaulted. 

While en route to the transit station officers received a description of the suspect and his last known location. Based on this information officers located the suspect near Southeast 103rd Avenue and Southeast Ankeny Street and took him into custody. 

Once the suspect was in custody officers contacted the TriMet Blue Line train operator and learned the suspect had been disruptive while on the train. According to the train operator and witnesses the suspect had yelled about the First Amendment and made loud unintelligible noises. While traveling to the East Burnside Street and 102nd Avenue Transit Station the TriMet operator utilized the public address system on the train and requested the subject not yell or be disruptive on the train. The operator also informed the man he would be asked to exit the train if he continued to be disruptive. The suspect continued to scream. Once the train arrived at the East Burnside Street and 102nd Avenue Transit Station the operator attempted to contact the suspect. As the train operator approached the disruptive suspect, the suspect struck the TriMet operator with his hands and feet. TriMet riders came to the aid of the operator and moved the suspect away from the TriMet operator. The suspect left the train and shortly thereafter was arrested. 

Medical personnel responded and provided medical aid to the TriMet operator. The TriMet operator did not receive serious injury and did not require transport by ambulance to the hospital. 

It is believed there are witnesses that left the transit station prior to being contacted by police. Persons who witnessed or may have video recordings of this incident should contact the police at 503.823.3333.