February 8, 2022
Elisabeth.Shepard@mcda.us
Elisabeth Shepard, Communications Director
DA Mike Schmidt announces 8-year sentence for David Dahlen, 25, on four serious charges
PORTLAND, Oregon – Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt announced that David Dahlen, 25, pled guilty to four charges on Monday February 7, 2022, including Assault in the First Degree, Assaulting a Public Safety Officer, Fleeing or Attempting to Elude a Police Officer, and Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle. Dahlen was sentenced to eight years in prison.
On December 24, 2020, Dahlen was driving a vehicle in Southeast Portland that had previously been reported stolen. He stopped for gas on Southeast Cesar E Chavez Blvd and Southeast Powell Blvd and was identified by the vehicle’s owner who called the police. Portland Police Officer Jennifer Pierce responded to the scene.
She attempted to box Dahlen in with her patrol vehicle to prevent him from driving away with the stolen vehicle. She exited her patrol vehicle, at which point Dahlen drove the stolen vehicle towards Officer Pierce and pinned her between the two vehicles. While pinned, Officer Pierce fired two gunshot rounds at the stolen vehicle while Dahlen continued to accelerate forward. The impact caused her serious injury.
Officer Pierce managed to free herself and fell into her patrol vehicle. Dahlen forced the patrol vehicle out of the way with the stolen vehicle and fled the area. The stolen vehicle was later found abandoned on Southeast 54th Ave and Southeast Belmont St. Subsequent investigation including video surveillance and witness reports confirmed Dahlen’s identity.
On December 29, 2020, a Multnomah County judge authorized a warrant for Dahlen’s arrest. On January 2, 2021, Portland Police located and arrested Dahlen in the area of Southeast 101st Avenue and Southeast Insley St. after a brief foot pursuit. After being transported to the Portland Police Bureau’s Detective Division, Dahlen escaped custody. On January 8, 2021, the United States Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force located and arrested Dahlen. Dahlen appeared in Multnomah County Circuit Court on January 20, 2021, and was arraigned on the indictment and has been in custody since.
“This should have been a routine stop of a suspect operating a stolen car. Instead, Mr. Dahlen caused needless harm to a Portland Police Officer to avoid accountability for his actions.” Senior Deputy District Attorney Todd Jackson said.
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office thanks the Portland Police Bureau for their assistance in this case and commends Officer Jennifer Pierce for her tremendous bravery and dedication to justice.
#MCDA#