Police Pursue Stolen Vehicle While Suspects Fire Rifle at Them
(GATEWAY, Ore) — On Monday, at about 9:20 AM, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office located a black 2005 Honda Civic traveling on US Hwy 26 near NW Gumwood, northwest of Madras.
The car had been reported as stolen earlier that morning to the Warm Springs Police Department.
When the Deputy attempted to stop the vehicle it accelerated, fleeing from the officer. Officers from Warm Springs Police, Madras Police Department, and the Oregon State Police responded to the area to assist in apprehending the fleeing vehicle.
During the pursuit an OSP Trooper became the lead vehicle in a rural area just outside the rural community of Gateway within Jefferson County.
The pursuit continued on several county roadways at speeds exceeding 70 mph, during which time a passenger fired a rifle at the pursuing OSP Trooper.
Eventually the suspect vehicle entered the community of Gateway where the driver lost control on icy roads and crashed into a fence in front of a private residence.
The three occupants of the stolen car fled on foot into nearby farm fields.
Jefferson County Deputies with the assistance of Warm Springs Police located the three occupants and placed them into custody without incident a short time later at a nearby property.
A Winchester .270 caliber rifle was located within the stolen car.
None of the law enforcement Officers involved was injured during the incident.
