Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill announced that a judge convicted 38-year-old Reginald Huricks of committing three separate robberies at the same convenience store in the University Park neighborhood using homemade firearms that were later determined to be capable of shooting ammunition.
During the trial, which concluded on Wednesday of last week, the state presented evidence to show that the robberies occurred on January 18, April 17 and May 2, 2019 in the 5200 block of North Lombard Street in Portland, Oregon.
During the first investigation, law enforcement reviewed surveillance video and observed a man, later identified as Huricks, walk into the store and steal a pack of cigarettes. The video captured Huricks leaving the store. As he did, the clerk grabbed a baseball bat and went to the front door. Cameras from the store’s exterior captured Huricks, while outside, pointing what appeared to be a firearm at the front door. He fled the store before police arrived.
On April 17, 2019, Huricks entered the store again and selected some merchandise and approached the counter. Instead of allowing the clerk to conduct a sales transaction, Huricks was captured on video showing the employee the handle of a firearm, which had been hidden inside his coat. According to testimony at trial, Huricks told the clerk that he had a gun and he threatened the employee. Huricks was captured on video leaving the store with the unpaid merchandise.
On May 2, 2019, Huricks entered the store with his face partially concealed and was armed with what appeared to be a homemade firearm. During trial, the state presented evidence to show that Huricks pointed the firearm at two employees, ordered one to get on the ground and ordered the other to hand over the store’s cash.
In each case, Huricks fled the store before police arrived. Although officers conducted an area check each time, Huricks was never located.
On May 4, 2019, law enforcement responded to residence in the 7000 block of North Olin Avenue in Portland, Oregon on reports of a restraining order violation. During that arrest, according to trial testimony, law enforcement located a loaded homemade firearm that was concealed in Huricks’ coat, which matched a description of a firearm used in the robberies. Huricks was taken into custody.
The Oregon State Police Crime Laboratory determined the homemade firearm seized was capable of being a deadly weapon.
While in custody pending trial, Huricks wrote a letter to the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office, according to trial testimony. The letter made reference to his involvement in the first and second incidents at the convenience store, but Huricks denied being involved in any robbery.
The court was presented with the letter as evidence.
The court convicted Huricks of two counts of robbery in the second degree, two counts of robbery in the first degree with a firearm, one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, one count of being in possession of a loaded firearm and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm.
Sentencing in this matter is scheduled for December 13, 2019.
Source: Multnomah County District Attorney