Pendleton police arrest alleged car thief
By Terry Murry on Thursday, March 7th, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PENDLETON – It took surveillance videos and reports from concerned citizens, but Pendleton police officers have tracked down and arrested Dylan Cantrell, 21, of Pendleton on charges related to stealing a car last month. The arrest occurred Tuesday.
PPD received a report regarding a suspicious vehicle in the area of the 100 block of Southeast Hailey Avenue on Feb. 25. Chief Chuck Byram said the officers responded and found a vehicle missing license plates and with the vehicle identification number obscured parked in the neighborhood. No one knew who was driving it, but police asked them to report if they saw someone around it.
Later that afternoon, a caller reported that the vehicle was being driven away. Police responded and located the vehicle.
“A pursuit of the vehicle was initiated, but was quickly terminated due to the threat to the surrounding public,” Byram wrote in an email. “Officers located the vehicle in the area of Southwest Emigrant Avenue and Southwest 21st Street.”
He said the 2010 white Subaru Impreza was learned to be an unreported stolen vehicle from a local mechanic’s business. It was returned to its owner.
Meanwhile, officers got a description of the male driver from witnesses and reviewed video surveillance tape. They arranged to meet up with the suspect at his probation officer’s office Tuesday.
“When Cantrell was advised that he was under arrest, he took off running from officers who were able to take him into custody after a brief chase,” Byram said.
Cantrell is facing felony charges of unauthorized use of a vehicle, first-degree theft, and a parole violation. He is also charged with misdemeanor attempt to elude and misdemeanor reckless driving.
