Salem Bank Robbery Suspect Apprehended After High Speed Chase
(SALEM, Ore) — A suspect is in custody after robbing a Salem bank and leading multiple officers on a high-speed chase of approximately 25 miles, said Salem Police.
Officers were dispatched to the Key Bank located at 1500 Edgewater St NW at 5:54 pm on a report of a robbery.
Responding officers were able to locate the suspect as he was leaving the area in a black 1999 BMW sedan.
When officers attempted to stop the suspect, he fled westbound on Highway 22 reaching speeds of over 100 mph at times.
Due to the fact that the suspect drove well into Polk County, Polk County deputies continued to pursue the suspect as he drove past Dallas on Highway 22, eventually turning north onto Red Prairie Rd Sheridan.
He continued northbound on Red Prairie Rd, crossing Highway 18, and then crashed into officers with the Grand Ronde Tribal Police.
The suspect then abandoned his vehicle and attempted to flee on foot, but was quickly apprehended. There were no injuries.
The suspect, 43-year old Richard Louis Whittington of Sheridan, is being lodged in the Polk County Jail on multiple charges.
Salem Police detectives and Special Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are continuing the investigation.
