Pursuit ends in arrest of Hermiston man
By Terry Murry on Wednesday, February 23rd, 2022 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PENDLETON — (The following news release is from Pendleton Police Chief Chuck Byram)
February 21, 2022 at 8:24 a.m., a Pendleton resident in the 100 block of SE 4th Street reported that her vehicle was stolen from in front her residence. An officer responded and learned that the victim left the vehicle unattended for approximately two minutes while it was warming up and when she returned outside, found the vehicle gone. A stolen vehicle report was completed, but the responding officer was unable to develop any leads or a suspect description at that time. Approximately an hour later, the male registered owner of the stolen vehicle reported observing the vehicle being operated in the area of SE 12th Street and SE Byers Avenue. It was reported that the vehicle was being operated in a reckless manner. The registered owner of the stolen vehicle attempted to follow the vehicle, but due to the high speeds in which the suspect was operating the vehicle, he was unable to keep the vehicle in sight.
At 9:41 a.m., a Pendleton Police Department patrol officer located the vehicle being operated westbound in the 500 block of SW Court Avenue. The officer attempted to stop the vehicle, but the suspect driver fled westbound on SW Court Avenue. A pursuit of the vehicle was initiated on City streets at speeds of approximately 55 miles per hour. The suspect entered on to I-84 westbound at the 209 on-ramp. The pursuit continued on to the interstate where speeds reached approximately 100 miles per hour. The suspect attempted to take the 207 exit, but lost control of the vehicle and hit an ODOT sign. The suspect driver continued through the intersection of Westgate and the 207 off-ramp where he lost control and disabled the vehicle in the gravel area of Westgate and Airport Road.
The suspect, Dylan Lieght Russell, a 29-year old Hermiston resident, was taken into custody. He was lodged at the Umatilla County Jail based on a probable cause affidavit charging:
- Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle
- Attempt to Elude-Vehicle
- Reckless Driving
- Reckless Endangering
- Hit & Run-Property
According to records, Dylan L. Russell has been arrested 27 times and issued 56 citations in the Umatilla/Morrow County area. This case will be sent to the Umatilla County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
