Salem Man Arrested After Armed Robbery at Costco
SALEM, Ore. — A 45-year-old Salem man, Jorge Reyes-Suarez, was arrested Friday following a multi-agency search triggered by an armed robbery in the parking lot of a Costco located in the 4800 block of 27th Avenue SE. The victim, a woman, sustained serious injuries during the incident.
According to the Salem Police Department, officers responded to the Costco at approximately 12:06 p.m. On February 6th, after receiving reports of the robbery. Upon arrival, they found a woman bleeding from a head injury. She told officers that an unknown man approached her after she had returned her shopping cart and placed her purchases in her vehicle. The man allegedly brandished a handgun and assaulted her, stealing her fanny pack.
The woman was transported to Salem Hospital by Salem Fire Medics for treatment of significant injuries to her head and face, police said. Witnesses reportedly attempted to intervene before the suspect fled the scene in a white Toyota Corolla.
Oregon State Police (OSP) quickly located the vehicle, aided by information broadcast by dispatch to surrounding agencies. A brief pursuit ensued, but the suspect abandoned the Corolla in the 2600 block of Portland Road NE. A perimeter was established by officers from multiple agencies, including the Salem Police, Keizer Police, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, and OSP.
During the search, a canine unit discovered what appeared to be a handgun. However, investigators later determined the weapon to be a realistic-looking pellet gun. While the perimeter was active, Highland Elementary and St. Vincent School were placed on lockdown as a precautionary measure.
Reyes-Suarez was eventually spotted walking away from the abandoned vehicle and was arrested without incident. He was subsequently booked into the Marion County Jail on charges of Robbery in the First Degree and Assault in the First Degree. OSP will also be filing charges against Reyes-Suarez for Felony Attempt to Elude, according to the Salem Police Department.
The incident prompted a significant response from law enforcement, highlighting the coordinated efforts of multiple agencies in securing the suspect’s arrest and ensuring the safety of the surrounding community. The investigation remains ongoing.
