January 21, 2022 10:30 a.m. 

A suspect in an alleged assault and kidnapping incident was jailed after a lengthy police pursuit on Thursday.

Captain Kurt Sorenson of the Sutherlin Police Department said at 1:10 p.m. officers were called to the 100 block of Hutchins Way regarding a reported assault and stolen vehicle. Sorenson said police learned that 26-year old Vincent Diaz was suspected of taking a female resident of Washington into Oregon and repeatedly assaulting her at different points along the way. The victim was able to get out of the car at a gas station and called 911. Diaz fled in the victim’s vehicle.

Sorenson said the vehicle was spotted by SPD and a vehicle pursuit was initiated. The pursuit was terminated due to the reckless conduct of the suspect. Later the vehicle was seen on Interstate 5 southbound by Myrtle Creek Police, who started a pursuit, but also terminated it due to the reckless driving of the suspect.

Sorenson said spike strips were eventually deployed and the vehicle was stopped at the freeway’s Canyon Creek exit, about 4 miles south of Canyonville. Diaz fled on foot and was taken into custody a short time later by members of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.

Diaz was lodged on 15 charges including first-degree kidnapping, strangulation, fourth-degree assault, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, several counts of reckless driving and reckless endangering and attempt to elude in a vehicle and on foot.

Bail was set at $593,750.