28-year-old Buomkuoth Chuol taken into custody following robbery and gunfire at Pro Automotive & Diesel

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Robbery Suspect Fires Shots at Employees in Scappoose Automotive Business Parking Lot

Scappoose, OR – A robbery suspect from Washington County was apprehended on November 20, 2023, after firing shots at employees in the parking lot of Pro Automotive & Diesel located at 50038 Columbia River Highway in Scappoose. The suspect, identified as 28-year-old Buomkuoth Chuol from Portland, fled the scene and was later arrested by law enforcement officials.

The incident occurred around 11:15 a.m. when staff members at Pro Automotive confronted the suspect, who was engaged in suspicious activities. In an attempt to escape, the suspect fired a weapon at a civilian before fleeing towards Portland.

Earlier that day, Washington County had issued an Attempt to Locate (ATL) for Chuol, who was wanted for a robbery in Portland. The car that was stolen during the robbery had a laptop inside, enabling the owner to track its movements. The vehicle’s trajectory indicated that it was heading towards Columbia County, prompting a joint search effort by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police, Scappoose Police, and St. Helens Police.

At approximately 11:14 a.m., Pro Automotive contacted emergency services to report that a male matching the suspect’s description had attempted to steal a car from their business and had fired shots at employees. Thankfully, no injuries were reported, and the suspect fled the scene in a black Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Law enforcement agencies quickly located the suspect’s vehicle and initiated a short pursuit. To disable the fleeing vehicle, police officers deployed a spike strip, successfully ending the chase. Chuol was subsequently taken into custody and lodged in the Columbia County Jail. The investigation into the incident is still ongoing.

The Chronicle reached out to Adam Ofstad, the owner of Pro Automotive, for his perspective on the ordeal. Ofstad expressed his relief that no one was injured but acknowledged the fear and shock experienced by himself and his employees. He noted a significant increase in incidents involving the security of customer vehicles since the beginning of the pandemic.

Ofstad shared, “We have frequent attempted nefarious activities here. We have about zero completion. Because it’s just like this day and night. We have made it known that this kind of stuff doesn’t get far at Pro. I can tell you there’s been 15-plus felony cases that have been tried and fully charged in our Columbia County courts here for people attempting this kind of activity at Pro.”

He further explained that prior to the pandemic, criminal activity was virtually nonexistent. However, since the pandemic’s onset, Pro Automotive has experienced an average of three incidents per week. To combat this rise in crime, Ofstad credited the Scappoose Police Department and Columbia County Sheriff Brian Pixley for their support in implementing extensive security measures.

Pro Automotive now utilizes 28 cameras, motion sensors, and a team of three people who monitor the cameras during the night. All staff members are vigilant during the day, prepared to respond to potential criminal activity. Ofstad emphasized the need for increased law enforcement presence to ensure the safety of his employees and customers.

Reflecting on the impact of these repeated offenses, Ofstad expressed concern for his staff and their families, stating, “We’re extremely fortunate no one got shot on this one.”

The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, along with other law enforcement agencies, continues to investigate the incident and will work towards preventing further criminal activities in the area..