September 7, 2024 10:30 a.m.

Sutherlin Police jailed a man Thursday for an alleged prior pursuit and stolen vehicle incident.

An SPD report said earlier officers had been pursuing a stolen vehicle on Old Pioneer Road. That chase ended on Leeper Road when officers lost sight of the vehicle, and the driver bailed out on foot.

Just after 1:00 p.m. 36-year-old Richard Benefiel was located in the area and arrested on the suspicion of being the driver involved in the pursuit. He was initially charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, being in possession of a stolen vehicle, attempting to elude police in a vehicle and on foot, and reckless driving. Benefiel was detained on $10,000 bail.