Man Arrested After Allegedly Throwing Knife At Portland Police, Damaging Work Vehicle
PORTLAND, Ore. — A 33-year-old man was arrested Monday afternoon after allegedly assaulting a work crew, throwing a knife at Portland police officers, and threatening officers with additional weapons before being taken into custody, authorities said.
The incident began around 2:30 p.m. Monday near Northeast Brazee Street and Northeast 122nd Avenue, where officers with the Portland Police Bureau’s East Precinct responded to reports of an assault.
Police identified the suspect as Stephen T. Scazzafavo, 33. According to investigators, officers located Scazzafavo shortly after arriving and attempted to take him into custody. During the encounter, he allegedly threw a knife at officers. Although no officers were struck, police said the knife hit and damaged the windshield of a patrol vehicle.
Authorities said Scazzafavo then fled on foot while allegedly threatening officers with a metal hiking stick and a flashlight capable of functioning as a stun gun. Officers eventually subdued and arrested him.
Investigators said the incident began before police arrived, when Scazzafavo allegedly confronted a nearby work crew. He is accused of threatening workers, striking one employee with a bicycle pump, and repeatedly hitting the crew’s work vehicle as they attempted to leave the area. Police said the vehicle sustained thousands of dollars in damage, but no workers were injured.
One Portland police officer suffered a minor injury during the arrest and was treated at the scene by paramedics.
Scazzafavo was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center on multiple charges, including first-degree criminal mischief, harassment, attempted fourth-degree assault, attempted second-degree assault, menacing, first-degree unlawful use of an electrical stun gun, unlawful use of a weapon, reckless endangerment, second-degree disorderly conduct, and three counts of attempted assault of a police officer.
“This incident escalated rapidly and posed a serious danger to both community members and responding officers,” Portland Police Chief Bob Day said in a statement. “Thanks to the quick actions of our officers, the suspect was taken into custody before anyone suffered serious injuries. Incidents like this highlight the unpredictable situations our officers face and their commitment to protecting our community.”
Police are asking anyone with information about the incident who has not yet spoken with investigators to contact the Portland Police Bureau and reference case No. 26-210632.