April 7, 2021 9:45 a.m.

A Portland area transient was jailed after a police chase on Interstate Five Tuesday afternoon.

Myrtle Creek Chief of Police Jonathan Brewster said at 1:50 p.m. dispatch was trying to locate a vehicle that was allegedly being driven recklessly in the northbound lanes of the freeway. A MCPD officer spotted the vehicle near the Myrtle Creek exit and caught up to it. After observing it being driven recklessly, the officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop.

Brewster said the driver of the vehicle, later identified as 50-year old Phillip Sims, failed to pull over after the officer activated his lights and siren. The pursuit went for approximately 16 miles. Near the Harvard Avenue exit in Roseburg, a deputy with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office attempted to deploy his spike strips.

After Sims drove past the deputy, he reportedly slammed on his breaks and came to a complete stop in the fast lane of the freeway. Brewster said the suspect was taken into custody without further incident. The freeway was cleared so that normal traffic flow could resume.

Sims was charged with attempting to elude a police officer and for reckless driving. Bail was set at $56,250.