One man is facing charges after allegedly chasing children with a knife at a grocery store parking lot, according to police.

Portland police were dispatched to the parking lot of the Auburn Avenue Shaw’s at 9:20 p.m. on June 25, according to a police news release.

There were multiple reports that a male was “chasing children through the parking lot with a knife,” the release stated.

Officers arrived and took Curtis Crawford, 54, who is unhoused, into custody, police said.

Crawford is charged with criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon and with criminal trespass. 

“We  would like to recognize the staff at Shaw’s, who during this time, sheltered the children in the store and locked the doors, helping keep them safe while officers were responding to the scene,” the release stated.

Investigators ask anyone with information to call them at (207) 874-8575 or text keyword PPDME and your message to 847411.