The suspect driver was transported to an area hospital for evaluation of minor injuries sustained during the collision

An unidentified suspect was taken into custody early Thursday after attempting to elude police in a stolen vehicle.

On Wednesday (April 26), just after 11 p.m., Clark County Sheriff’s Office and Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue personnel were dispatched to a report of a male slumped-over in the driver seat of an unlicensed Ford Fusion, which was reported to have been parked in the 10300 block of NE 52nd Ct. 

The driver took-off in the vehicle upon the arrival of the fire engine. The car was observed driving erratically by the fire fighters, who spotted the vehicle again at a gas station near the intersection of NE 72nd Ave. and NE 119th St. 

A CCSO patrol deputy located the vehicle driving east on NE 119th St. and attempted a traffic stop. The driver recklessly eluded the deputy, who did not pursue the vehicle. Another deputy found the car a few minutes later, near NE 99th St. and NE 117th Ave., in Orchards. 

A second traffic stop was attempted but the driver fled again. As the second deputy was disengaging with the vehicle, the driver failed to negotiate a curve at NE 126th Ave. and NE 95th St., colliding with a large public utility box at the southeast corner of the intersection. 

The driver fled the scene on foot and ran into the commercial complex at the 9600 block of NE 126th Ave. Combined efforts from the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, the Vancouver Police Department, the Clark County Sheriff’s Office Air Support Unit, and several small Unmanned Aircraft Systems resulted in the successful apprehension of the suspect, who was located after about an hour hiding between a fence and a row of arborvitae in the commercial complex. 

The vehicle was found to have been reported stolen to Portland Police a few days prior. Evidence of recent illicit drug use was observed inside the car. The vehicle was seized by the Sheriff’s Office pending further investigation. The suspect driver has not yet been identified by law enforcement. He was transported to an area hospital for evaluation of minor injuries sustained during the collision. 

This investigation is ongoing and further details may be released upon their discovery. 

Information provided by Clark County Sheriff’s Office.