In a dramatic turn of events, a group of suspects stole a semi cab and triggered a tense standoff on Interstate 205, leading to the closure of all lanes in both directions for approximately two hours on Monday morning. The incident, which originated from a vehicle theft in Oregon, unfolded near Vancouver, Washington.

According to the Washington State Department of Transportation, the suspects barricaded themselves inside the stolen semi cab, prompting law enforcement to shut down all lanes between Mill Plain Boulevard and Highway 500. Additionally, southbound ramps to the freeway and northbound ramps at Mill Plain Boulevard were closed as authorities responded to the situation.

Emergency radio traffic, monitored by The Columbian newsroom, revealed that armored units were summoned to the scene in an effort to resolve the standoff. The occupants of the stolen semi-truck cab refused to exit the vehicle, prolonging the confrontation.

Fortunately, after a tense ordeal lasting approximately two hours, lanes began reopening at around 11:45 a.m. However, the heavy congestion caused a significant backlog of traffic in both the northbound and southbound directions.

The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office confirmed the ongoing situation on Twitter, stating, "Occupants of a stolen semi-truck cab are stopped in the northbound lanes and are not exiting the vehicle."

The closure of one of the major traffic arteries in the region resulted in delays for commuters and a disruption to daily routines. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of swift and decisive actions by law enforcement to resolve such situations safely and efficiently.

As the investigation into the stolen semi cab and the motives behind the theft continues, authorities will be working diligently to bring the suspects to justice and restore normalcy to the affected area.

As of now, further details regarding the suspects and their identities, as well as any potential charges, remain undisclosed. Commuters are advised to remain patient as traffic gradually returns to normal and to stay tuned for updates from local authorities regarding developments in the case.