One man arrested following foot chase near Riverside Park, La Grande

By Garrett Christensen on Thursday, August 7th, 2025 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News

LA GRANDE – A walk in the park turned into a pursuit near the park as 26-year-old Nickolus Jaes Plueard (unknown address) was arrested by La Grande Police Officers following a foot chase near Riverside Park earlier this week.

According to the La Grande Police Department, at around 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 5, officers responded to two separate reports of a suspicious male subject (later identified as Plueard) on foot near Riverside Park reportedly wearing a mask and attempting to stop vehicles in the road. When officers made contact, Plueard fled on foot. After being advised he was under arrest for Disorderly Conduct, Plueard continued to flee toward the Grande Ronde River. Plueard was ultimately surrounded by LGPD officers, Union County Sheriff’s Deputies, and Parol and Probation officers, and surrendered without further incident.

Plueard was subsequently lodged in the Union County Jail. It was observed at the scene that he appeared to be under the influence of drugs.

According to an LGPD press log, Plueard’s specific charges at the time of arrest included Escape III and Disorderly Conduct II.

(Image provided by the La Grande Police Department)