The suspects in the burglary at a marijuana dispensary crashed a vehicle after trying to elude police early Thursday morning.
Sergeant Jeff Eichenbusch of the Roseburg Police said at around 1:00 a.m. RPD investigated a reported burglary at the 420 Club in the 2500 block of Northeast Stephens. Eichenbusch said during the investigation officers learned that several suspects had gained entry to the business by damaging a window, and then had stolen merchandise from inside.
Eichenbusch said officers were able to identify a vehicle of interest in the incident, and they provided that information to local law enforcement agencies.
Just before 5:00 a.m. an off-duty Douglas County Sheriff’s deputy, found the vehicle traveling on Northeast Stephens and reported that information to on-duty officers. The vehicle was located traveling north in the 2600 block of Northeast Stephens. The car, a red Volkswagen Beetle, suddenly accelerated away from officers, continuing northbound on Stephens. Speeds reached 65 to 80 miles-per-hour and officers backed off because they were approaching a construction area north of Costco on Stephens. The vehicle pulled further away at that time, but quickly tried turning east on Taft, losing control and striking a utility pole.
Eichenbusch said several occupants fled from the vehicle. One of those was a 16-year old male who was tackled by law enforcement as he tried to get away on foot. K9 Nike from RPD attempted to track the other suspects but they were not located.
The 16-year old was reportedly found in possession of merchandise stolen from the 420 Club. He was placed in the Juvenile Detention Center for burglary, theft and criminal mischief charges.
Eichenbusch said the vehicle sustained heavy damage from hitting the utility pole and had to be towed from the scene. It does not appear that anyone was injured during the collision.
The investigation into the driver of the vehicle and the other suspects involved in the burglary is ongoing.