Colorado man arrested in Baker City following police chase
By Logan Bagett on Wednesday, May 6th, 2026 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon Top Stories
BAKER CITY – A Colorado man was arrested in Baker County yesterday following a police chase that began in Idaho. Oregon State Police logs indicate that on May 5th, at approximately 1:00 p.m., OSP received a driving complaint involving “a white Camaro that eluded Payette County in Idaho. The vehicle was last seen driving west on I84.”
The suspect vehicle was located by OSP near milepost 318. The Trooper initiated a traffic stop, but the driver identified as David Gerald Putnam, 61, of Avon, CO fled the stop after initial contact, attempting to elude law enforcement.
OSP reports, “A pursuit was initiated, and Troopers were able to set up spike strips ahead of the suspect, flattening three of his tires. The pursuit entered Baker City, and the suspect was ultimately taken into custody.”
The Baker County Sheriff’s Office and Baker City Police Department assisted in taking Putnam into custody. He was arrested on charges of Attempt to Elude Fleeing (Vehicle), Reckless Driving, Reckless Endangering Another Person, and Offensive Littering. Putnam was transported to the hospital to get medically cleared.
As of Wednesday, May 6th, 2026, Putnam was not listed in the Baker County Jail’s roster.
