Child and mother safe after pursuit
By Terry Murry on Tuesday, April 23rd, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
Editor’s note: There is no information indicated that this incident is related to the killing and kidnapping in West Richland, Washington. We will update if we find otherwise.
UPDATE: According to Walla Walla, the mother was located at the Circle K in Burbank. The suspect was hiding in the car, jumped into the driver’s seat and took off with the child still in the vehicle which began the pursuit that ended as described below in Oregon . The suspect has been tentatively identified as Stephen Cleveland.
UMATILLA COUNTY – The Oregon State Police ended a pursuit of a vehicle suspected of robbery and a probable cause for suspicion of kidnapping on Highway 730 last night. Lt. Karl Farber said located the vehicle near Umatilla, deployed spike strips and stopped the vehicle. The child was not injured and the mother was reunited with her son. The suspect fled the scene and eluded capture.
The Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office, Hermiston Police, Umatilla Police, Stanfield Police, and Morrow County Sheriff’s Office responded to assist OSP. Umatilla County Dispatch received the call at about 10:12 p.m. Monday night.
Capt. Sterrin Ward said that it appears the incident began as a domestic violence call out of Walla Walla that she believes it originated with the Walla Walla County Sheriff’s Office. She said dispatch was told that the child was not related to the suspect. The suspect’s identity has not been released. We will update as we get more information.
