Suspect Arrested After Crashing into Business, Breaking into Home

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On Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at approximately 4:45 p.m., officers assigned to the Portland Police Bureau's East Precinct responded to reports of a vehicle that had crashed into a business in the 9700 block of Southeast Division Street. Two people inside the business suffered minor injuries from flying debris. The driver fled the scene on foot.

As responding officers established a perimeter, a resident in the 2000 block of Southeast 97th Avenue called 911 to report a burglary in progress. Officers responded to the home and escorted the resident out before locating and arresting John F. Graff, 55, of Troutdale.

Through the course of the investigation, it was determined that Graff was the driver who crashed into the business. While fleeing the scene, and before breaking into the occupied home, Graff hid a loaded firearm inside a mailbox in the 2100 block of Southeast 98^th Avenue. Officers recovered the firearm.

Graff was transported to the Multnomah County Detention Center (MCDC) and lodged on the following charges: Reckless Endangerment (four counts), Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Burglary in the First Degree, Assault in the Third Degree, Criminal Mischief in the First Degree, Failure to Perform the Duties of a Driver, and Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants (DUII).

"This incident could have had far more serious consequences," said PPB Chief Bob Day. "I'm grateful for the swift response by our officers, the quick actions of the resident who called 911, and the coordinated efforts that led to the suspect's arrest and the recovery of a loaded firearm before anyone else was harmed."

PPB would like to thank the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office and Transit Police for their assistance.

Anyone with information about this incident, who has not talked with police, is encouraged to submit a tip. The case number is 26-211949.

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