May 2, 2024 4:00 a.m.

A Corvallis man was jailed by Myrtle Creek Police following a lengthy police pursuit on Tuesday afternoon.

An MCPD report said just after 4:10 p.m. an officer observed a vehicle without license plates pass him on Division Street. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle on North Myrtle Road and the pickup took off. It reached speeds of nearly 75 miles per hour during a chase that also involved an officer with the Cow Creek Tribal Police and deputies with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.

Court documents indicate the vehicle eventually left Opossum Lane when it rammed a gate and continued down a dirt driveway. It left the driveway, went through a barbed wire fence and into a field. The pickup then made a U turn and pulled back into the driveway, after running over more fence. A deputy’s vehicle was headed toward the suspect vehicle when the driver decided to ram the DCSO vehicle head-on. Within moments, both the driver and a passenger were detained at gunpoint.

The driver, identified as 38-year-old Bobby Helms, was found to be in possession of a concealed handgun. Helms had numerous warrants for his arrest. Helms was charged with attempting to elude police in a vehicle, reckless driving, recklessly endangering another person, failure to perform the duties of a driver-property damage, unlawful possession/concealment of firearms, being a felon in possession of firearms, second-degree criminal trespass, third degree criminal mischief, driving while suspended misdemeanor and for the warrants.

After arraignment, bail was set at $15,000. The passenger was interviewed but is not facing charges.