Milton-Freewater man arrested after vehicle prowls lead to high-speed chase and crash

COLLEGE PLACE – A Milton-Freewater man is in custody following a multi-city crime spree involving a string of vehicle burglaries and a high-speed police pursuit that ended in a crash on Thursday.

Officers from the College Place Police Department responded to reports of vehicle prowls on Feb. 19 at an apartment complex near Southwest Silverstar Lane and South College Avenue. Investigators discovered approximately eight unlocked vehicles with doors and trunks left open.

Surveillance footage provided by apartment management showed a suspect, later identified as Thomas D. Payant, 32, arriving in a dark blue Acura TL. The video captured the suspect testing door handles and transferring stolen items into his vehicle.

Later that afternoon, Milton-Freewater officers spotted the Acura and attempted a traffic stop. Payant allegedly fled, leading police on a short pursuit before crashing on Highway 339. After a brief foot chase, he was apprehended by Oregon authorities.

At the time of his arrest, Payant was reportedly wearing the same clothing seen in the surveillance footage. He is currently held at the Umatilla County Jail on charges of reckless driving, eluding police, and recklessly endangering.

College Place investigators are now seeking additional charges, including multiple counts of second-degree vehicle prowl and third-degree theft. While a separate string of vehicle entries occurred on East Whitman Drive the same night, police have not yet linked Payant to those incidents.

Authorities reminded residents to lock their doors, noting that all vehicles targeted in the Silverstar Lane incident were left unlocked.

Photo via College Place Police Department

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Elkhorn Media Group