K9 NIKE CAPTURES FLEEING SUSPECT AFTER STOLEN VEHICLE CHASE


September 23, 2019 3:50 a.m.
Roseburg Police K9 Nike assisted the Winston Police Department in capturing a fleeing suspect after a vehicle pursuit that ended on Highway 42 near the Douglas-Coos County line on Friday.
Sergeant Jeff Eichenbusch of the Roseburg Police said 19-year old Abigail Wallace was driving a stolen car and attempted to elude police starting in Roseburg. The lengthy pursuit went through roads in Green, and Lookingglass before continuing on Highway 42 west of Winston. It ended when stop sticks were deployed by a trooper with Oregon State Police. Wallace and her passenger fled from the car on foot and refused to stop when told to do so, according to Eichenbusch. The pursuit began just after 9:00 a.m.
Nike chased Wallace down a steep embankment and across a creek. Wallace started to give up, so K9 Nike was called back to his handler, but Wallace began to run again. K9 Nike was again sent to capture the woman but she pretended to give up, so the dog was called back once more. Wallace refused to surrender and again tried to flee. K9 Nike chased after her for a third time, and made a biting capture of Wallace, holding her in place until officers caught up to them. Wallace received superficial scrapes as a result of the bite, and was taken to jail.

A Coos County K9 team deployed to track the passenger, and they were assisted by officers from Roseburg and Winston and by a deputy with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department. The passenger was tracked up a mountain. Several articles of clothing were found but the person was not located.
Wallace was charged with attempting to elude police in a vehicle and on foot, possession of stolen vehicle, reckless driving, and for reckless endangering. She was detained on $118,750 bail.