No one wants to get in trouble with the police. People often understand that any police contact can lead to an arrest record, criminal charges and serious potential penalties. In some cases, people's initial reaction may be to run from the police to avoid an arrest. This is often not a good idea and can lead to additional felonies for Oregon residents.
For one Oregon man, running from the police has led to both misdemeanor and felony charges. In this case, police allege that they were trying to pull the man over for traffic violations. Instead of stopping, the man ran from police in his car. According to police, the man stayed in his car as he drove through residential neighborhoods. Eventually, the man crashed his car and ran from police on foot.
Police say that at this point, the man got into a local river before swimming away from police. He eventually hid in shop building, police allege, before being found by a K9 Unit. At this point he was arrested and taken to an area hospital before being transported to jail. Eventually, the man was charged with misdemeanor attempt to elude on foot and felony attempt to elude in a vehicle.
Furthermore, police allege that the car the man was driving was stolen. Therefore, he was also charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, second degree criminal mischief and second degree burglary.
While running from police may seem like a good way to avoid felony criminal charges, it often just results in additional criminal penalties. Instead of eluding police, people should explore their criminal defense options. In some cases, it may be possible to reduce or eliminate felony charges with the right criminal defense strategy.
Source: The Oregonian, "Police charge La Pine area man with theft of vehicle, attempt to elude," Becca Stanek, July 6, 2013
