Oregon Man Arrested For Throwing Traffic Cones and Boards With Nails Into Traffic on the I-5

The man who threw traffic cones and boards with protruding nails into lanes of traffic on a 1-5 north of the North Failing Street pedestrian bridge on 14 June, and who was believed to have a bomb in his possession, has been booked into the Multnomah Detention Center.

He Slashed Vehicle Tires and Threatened Drivers with a Screwdriver

Alexander R. Wick (38) of Portland was also displaying a large stop sign and slashed the tires of vehicles when drivers stopped, threatening them with a screwdriver and claiming that he had a bomb in his possession.

Officers found a bucket containing a possible explosive device when later searching the area.

His actions on the southbound lanes of the interstate created a dangerous situation and the freeway was closed in both directions from 9.20 p.m. to 10.45 p.m. No one was injured.

Wick fled the scene but a Portland Fire Investigations Unit detective later identified him and a search warrant was conducted in the Sabin neighborhood of the 4700 block of Northeast 15th Avenue.

According to the Portland Police Bureau (PPB), the search was conducted slowly and methodically, involved tactical teams and law enforcement agencies, and took several hours.

Wick is facing charges of possession of a destructive device, the unlawful manufacture of a destructive device, first-degree attempted arson and criminal mischief, and second-degree disorderly conduct.

Police Appeal to Eyewitnesses and Video-Takers to Assist

PPB is now appealing to anyone who took videos of the incident or witnessed the event, to contact Detective Meredith Hopper at [email protected], referencing Case Number 25-158213.

The investigation was a collaboration between law enforcement agencies, the FBI, and the Portland Fire Investigations Unit.