A high-speed chase involving a stolen 1999 Honda Civic came to a dramatic end when Washington County Sheriff's deputies apprehended a man after he tried to flee a traffic stop on March 18th, according to officials. The deputies had spotted the vehicle near SW 84th Ave. and SW Barnes Rd. when the driver, later identified as 25-year-old Jorge Guerrero-Torres, hit the gas instead of the brakes, leading them on a wild goose chase.
The driver vanished from sight momentarily but the sheriff's office, working with a quick alert system and a tight net of deputies canvassing the vicinity, spotted the speeding Civic again near NW West Union Rd. and NW Laidlaw Rd. In a bid to cut short the reckless escapade, deputies deployed spike strips successfully deflating the stolen car’s tires this forced Guerrero-Torres to a standstill, according to Washington County Sheriff's Office.
As the car came to a stop, Guerrero-Torres attempted to make a run for it, ditching the disabled vehicle and attempting to escape on foot. However, the persistence of the pursuing deputies paid off quickly as they chased him down and made the arrest. Tests and admissions following his apprehension suggested the suspect was under the influence, with Guerrero-Torres claiming he had used cocaine a few hours before being caught.
In the aftermath of the car chase, a firearm was found near the scene which Guerrero-Torres said was his; the gun turned out to be reported stolen in Beaverton, further deepening the suspect’s legal woes as he was bundled with multiple charges, including possession of a stolen vehicle, attempting to elude police, and drug use, along with the unlawful possession of a firearm.
