At just after 4:00 p.m. on Monday, November 1st, 2021, a Traffic Safety Team Deputy from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office attempted to stop a Jeep Wrangler for an equipment violation. The driver continued south on Lancaster Drive, running multiple stop lights and driving recklessly while attempting to get away. The Traffic Safety Team Deputy did not pursue the vehicle and radioed ahead to other deputies in the area.
As deputies monitored the direction the vehicle was traveling, they were able to successfully use spike strips on State Street near Cordon Road to deflate tires on the Jeep. The driver finally stopped the vehicle approximately 2 ½ miles away near Indiana Ave NE and Logan Ct NE. The driver and several passengers ran from the Jeep, fleeing into the surrounding neighborhood.
Deputies were able to locate and detain all six people who fled from the vehicle, recovering two stolen handguns. Deputies learned the Jeep had been reported as stolen out of Tualatin several days earlier. In the stolen vehicle deputies found an AR-15 style rifle, meth, and cash. Additionally, evidence believed to be related to a series of burglaries in Camas, Washington was recovered from the vehicle. The investigation into the burglaries is being handled by detectives from the Camas Police Department.
All six people from the stolen Jeep were arrested, four juveniles and two adults:
- Driver – 14 year-old male from Portland, charged with Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, Attempt to Elude Felony & Misdemeanor, Reckless Driving, Reckless Endangering x 7, Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Criminal Trespass II, Delivery of Methamphetamine, and Theft I
- Passenger – 11 year-old male from Happy Valley, charged with Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, Theft I, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, and Criminal Trespass II as well as an outstanding warrant for Robbery II, Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle x 2, and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm x 2
- Passenger – 13 year-old male from Portland, charged with Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, Theft I, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, and Criminal Trespass II
- Passenger – 16 year-old male from Portland, charged with Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, Theft I, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, and Criminal Trespass II
- Passenger – Retonong, Zachary a 19 year-old male from Salem, charged with Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, Theft I, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Criminal Trespass II, and a Parole Violation.
- Passenger – Johnmark, Arnes a 23 year-old male from Happy Valley, charged with Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, Theft I, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, False Information to a Police Officer, and Criminal Trespass II as well as outstanding warrants for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle x 2, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Identity Theft, Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, Attempt to Elude, Reckless Driving, Reckless Endangering x 2, and Assault IV
The juveniles were taken to the Marion County Juvenile Detention Center, the adults were lodged at the Marion County Jail.
Commander Jeff Stutrud said, “I’m proud our deputies were able to help hold these young people accountable while getting the vehicle back to its rightful owner and taking three guns off the streets in Marion County. By holding these youth accountable, our goal is to change their behavior and connect them with people who can teach them the skills needed to stop engaging in criminal activity. This incident was a great example of the work our deputies do on a daily basis to address crime in our community while also minimizing the risk to the community.”
The Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Salem Police Department and Marion County Fire District #1 during this incident.