Billie Eilish fans camping outside the Moda Center were robbed at knifepoint before the concert

KATU is on your side examining crime data near the Moda Center after a spooky scene unfolded Saturday morning.

READ MORE | Portland police arrest a suspect in a robbery near the Moda Center following an incident Saturday morning

Dozens of people began camping out under an overpass near the arena just before a concert, including Tina Bailey and her teenage daughter Jessica.

She said around 11 a.m. a woman approached her and demanded money, her sleeping bag and more.

“She had such a big knife under her shirt, kind of hidden,” the teen told KATU.

Juan Villareal, another Florida teenager, was standing in line when he witnessed the incident and took a photo that appears to show the woman holding a knife.

“She had the knife out, went after him and started cutting the tires off his bike,” Jessica said. “We don’t know if she actually stabbed him, but it was like she grabbed him by the back and tried to attack him.”

Police said they responded to a call about a stabbing at Williams Avenue and Multnomah Street in the Lloyd District, where officers arrived within four minutes.

So far, police have not found anyone who was stabbed, but they have arrested 52-year-old Agelique Butler of Portland.

Police said she was found with stolen items and a kitchen knife. Butler is now charged with robbery and weapons possession.

“Well me and my husband will be out here tonight. I’ll say the girls probably won’t camp out.” Tina said when asked, “Why wait there after the incident?”

The Lloyd District is no stranger to muggings and robberies.

Portland police crime data shows there were 173 assaults between January and October 2024. That’s a slight increase compared to the same period last year, but a decrease compared to 2022.

It also shows 29 robberies in the first 10 months of this year, a significant decrease from 46 robberies in 2023.

“She had told my mother that she was trying to be nice because I was freaking out. So it just worries me because if I wasn’t there, she would have tried to go after my parents,” Jessica said.

At least 50 people tried to get wristbands that would be distributed Sunday morning for a Billie Eilish concert Sunday night.

“My girls are some of her biggest fans. I’ve never camped for a concert before. I do all this for her,” Tina said.