Police pursue pickup in West TD; spike strips deployed; suspect flees on foot
By Columbia Community Connection
What started out as a normal run-of-the-mill traffic stop near Columbia Cinema on Monday, Feb. 7 shortly after noon, turned into more than anyone was expecting.
Instead of pulling over, the red Ford pickup sped away.
Wasco County Deputies and Officers with The Dalles Police initiated several pursuits with the vehicle as it continued to elude them across West The Dalles. Eyewitnesses saw the vehicle jump across Snipes Street at a high rate of speed, possibly 60 miles per hour. The driver of the Ford almost lost control of the pickup, according to eye witness reports.
The Dalles Police assisted the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office in deploying spike strips near 10th and Irvine Streets, according to Sergeant Doug Kramer with The Dalles Police Department.
The spike strip flattened the pickup’s tire and eyewitnesses said thereafter they saw the pickup smoking.
”I just saw the truck being chased tires popped and truck smoking didn’t seem to slow him down on 10th coming from Foley Lakes, said one eye witness on Facebook.
The vehicle was eventually abandoned at Kingsley and Ninth streets, according to a homeowner living nearby. The driver of the Ford fled on foot, they said.
Police showed up quickly and drew guns on the vehicle, according to witness reports but the driver was not located. Police searched the surrounding area for the suspect with no apparent arrest.
If more information becomes available, CCCNews will update this story.