Portland police seek public help after Dialogue Liaison Officer loses track of female assault suspect near ICE facility
Portland Police seek public help identifying a woman who fled after an alleged assault outside the ICE facility in South Portland on Sept. 30, 2025. Detectives released photos and details and are asking anyone with tips to come forward.
Key takeaways
- Incident: Reported assault about 8:41 p.m. on Sept. 30, 2025, near South Moody Avenue and South Bancroft Street.
- Suspect description: Caucasian female, late teens–early 20s, long blonde hair with bangs, large chrome septum ring, wearing a black hoodie, tan cargo pants and a gray Jansport backpack.
- Action requested: Email crimetips@police.portlandoregon.gov with information; reference case 25-269978, attention Major Crimes Unit.
What happened
At about 8:41 p.m. on Sept. 30, the Portland Police Bureau says a report came in of an assault near South Moody Avenue and South Bancroft Street, just outside the ICE facility in South Portland. A Dialogue Liaison Officer (DLO) who was monitoring a gathering at the ICE building responded and attempted to detain and speak with the woman. According to the bureau, the suspect refused to stop when told she was being detained and fled while the DLO summoned patrol officers.
Patrol units arrived at about 8:59 p.m. and began working with the victim; detectives from the Major Crimes Unit subsequently took over the investigation. The bureau’s public statement and released images are intended to help identify the woman involved. See the PPB press release for details.
Dialogue Liaison Officer role and limitations
Portland’s DLO program places sworn officers in roles designed to de-escalate and communicate during protests and large gatherings rather than immediately enforce. The bureau says DLOs do not engage in direct enforcement while fulfilling that role; in this incident a DLO followed the suspect and called for patrol support rather than making a forcible detention. The PPB has noted that immediate arrests in crowd settings may not always be safe or feasible — follow-up by detectives occurs after the scene is secured. See the PPB monitoring notice for background on DLO deployments.
Police identification request and evidence released
The Portland Police Bureau released photos of the woman and a detailed description to assist identification. Distinguishing features and clothing noted by officers include:
- Large chrome septum nose ring
- Long blonde hair with bangs
- Black hoodie with a small white emblem on the front right
- Tan loose cargo pants, black shoes with white soles, black mask
- Gray Jansport backpack
The public notice and images can be reviewed in the PPB press release and the bureau asks anyone who recognizes the woman to contact the Major Crimes Unit.
Investigation status and what police will not release
As of Oct. 2, 2025, the bureau has not announced an arrest or publicly identified the woman. The PPB has not released the victim’s name or detailed specifics of the alleged assault. Detectives are actively investigating and are seeking community assistance to locate and identify the suspect.
“Sometimes protest-related scenes slow immediate enforcement actions and detectives may follow up once evidence and witness statements are secured,” the bureau said in its public notice.
Related context: protests and recent activity near the ICE facility
The ICE facility in South Portland has been the site of repeated demonstrations and counter-demonstrations in recent weeks, with multiple arrests and clashes reported. Local news coverage has documented arrests and alleged assaults near the facility; see the local reporting and related video coverage for context.
How the public can help (investigative steps)
- Review the released images and suspect description and compare with any photos or video taken near South Moody Avenue and South Bancroft Street on Sept. 30. (See PPB images.)
- Email tips to crimetips@police.portlandoregon.gov and reference case 25-269978, attention Major Crimes Unit — include dates, times and contact information for follow-up.
- If a tip involves imminent danger or a suspect is at a known location now, call 911 rather than emailing.
Broader implications
Incidents around federal facilities can affect local commerce, public safety perceptions and political debate. This case highlights tensions between crowd-management strategies aimed at reducing immediate escalation and calls for firm enforcement when crimes are reported. The use of DLOs raises questions about balancing de-escalation with accountability; transparent follow-up investigations are vital for community trust.
Reporting and source links
- PPB statement and suspect images
- PPB monitoring notice
- Local reporting on related arrests
- Video coverage of activity near the facility
If you have information
If you recognize the woman in the images or have relevant information, please email crimetips@police.portlandoregon.gov and reference case 25-269978, attention Major Crimes Unit. Timely, factual tips — including photos, video timestamps and witness details — can aid the investigation and help ensure community safety.
