38-year-old Reginald Huricks received a 20 year prison sentence for committing three robberies using a homemade gun, which was later determined to be capable of shooting ammunition.
“Reginald Huricks repeatedly robbed the same convenience store in north Portland over the course of four months in 2019,” said Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Eric Collins, who prosecuted this case. “In each incident, he used what appeared to be a shotgun or a long rifle. His proclivity toward homemade firearms is particularly concerning because no laws prevent him from purchasing the materials needed to construct future weapons and potentially victimize more people.”
Wednesday’s sentencing hearing was held inside the Multnomah County Detention Center. As stated in court during a previously scheduled sentencing hearing, the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office learned Huricks repeatedly threatened violence and was planning an escape attempt that included knocking a sheriff’s deputy unconscious, stealing the deputy’s gun and then using it to escape the courthouse. The Sheriff’s Office learned Huricks threatened to shoot anyone attempting to stop him.
“Mr. Huricks has an extensive history of hurting, threatening and terrorizing other people,” said DDA Collins. “His violent criminal past spans more than 15 years. Throughout that time, he has received the benefit of probationary sentences only to commit new crimes while on release.”
In November, a judge 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.
The robberies occurred on January 18, April 17 and May 2, 2019 in the 5200 block of North Lombard Street in Portland, Oregon.
Additional information on each robbery was previously released by the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office when the verdict was announced. Those details can be accessed by clicking here.
On May 4, 2019, law enforcement responded to a residence in the 7000 block of North Olin Avenue in Portland, Oregon on reports of a restraining order violation. During that arrest, law enforcement located a loaded homemade firearm that was concealed in Huricks’ coat, which matched a description of a firearm used in the robberies.
The Oregon State Police Crime Laboratory determined the homemade firearm seized was capable of being a deadly weapon.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office recognizes Portland Police Bureau Detective Todd Prosser, Detective Mark Slater, Officer Daniel DiMatteo and Oregon State Police Forensic Scientist Leland Samuelson as well as the entire PPB Robbery Detail and Gun Violence Reduction Team and the Oregon State Police for their dedicated efforts investigating this case.
The District Attorney’s Office also recognizes Victim Advocate Tabitha Smith for the advocacy and support she provided the victims throughout this matter.
Source: Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office