ANCHORAGE, Alaska-Yesterday, about 4 pm at the Nesbett Courthouse on fourth Avenue in Anchorage, a scuffle and escape attempt broke out as Superior Court Judge Larry Card issued an order to remand on a defendant.
Ryan Robert Portlock, age 24, of Anchorage, was before Judge Card, who had just ordered Portlock jailed on a Petition to Revoke Probation on a previous charge of Theft in the Second Degree. As he was about to be taken into custody, he bolted. The Court Services Officer on Duty, tackled Portlock at the courtroom doors as he sought to exit. The struggle continued through the second set of courtroom doors, and Portlock broke free.
A description of Portlock was issued by radio to other officers as Portlock ran to the elevators of the building. Portlock managed to exit the building through the emergency exit on the southwest side of the building that opens to 4th Avenue. He then ran away from the building toward the Boney Court building.. Court officers pursued on foot. Other officers pursued on foot from the direction of I street.
Another Court officer, this one in a Judicial Services van, pursued Portlock to the west side of the Boney Court building near K street. A brief struggle ensued. Portlock was ultimately taken into custody. He was then taken to the Anchorage jail where he was remanded on the Court ordered Revocation of Probation.
One Court Officer sustained minor injuries during the struggle and Portlock had minor cuts and scratches to his hands. There were no other injuries.
The case has now been forwarded to the District Attorney’s Office. Additional charges now await Portlock on his next visit to the courtroom. He has been charged with two counts of Resisting Arrest, a count of Assault in the Fourth Degree, and Escape in the Second Degree.