A 51-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the stabbing and robbery of a 77-year-old man at a Portland Safeway store on New Year’s Day. Christopher Eugene Woods, who has a prior conviction for a violent crime, was taken into custody after the incident, raising concerns about public safety.
During an initial court appearance on Friday, Woods pleaded not guilty to charges of attempted murder, robbery, and assault stemming from the stabbing that occurred Thursday morning in the Safeway parking lot. According to court documents, Woods has a troubling history, including a 2017 incident where he stabbed a woman multiple times at the Lloyd Center MAX platform after she rejected his advances.
In that case, Woods was charged with attempted assault and unlawful use of a weapon. He ultimately pleaded no contest and was sentenced to five years in prison. Furthermore, he has a record of other offenses, including a DUII conviction in October 2025 and a first-degree burglary charge in November 2025, where he reportedly attacked a woman he had a relationship with. The lesser charges of trespassing and harassment were dropped as part of a plea deal, leading to probation.
Police reports indicate that Woods has a felony conviction from 2011 in Los Angeles County for the manufacture and possession of a dangerous weapon. This pattern of violent behavior has raised alarm among community members and law enforcement.
On Thursday morning, Woods allegedly stabbed the 77-year-old man inside the restroom of the Safeway located at Southeast 122nd Avenue and Powell Boulevard while attempting to rob him. Officers apprehended Woods later that day near Southeast 119th Avenue and Division Street. Woods has since been booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center, facing charges of first-degree assault and first-degree robbery.
