Chase, manhunt NW of Redmond fail to catch driver

A high-speed chase and three-hour manhunt northwest of Redmond Friday failed to find a driver who authorities said refused to pull over for police in Redmond and later ditched the car and ran.

Shortly before 9 a.m., Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies pursued the driver of a green 2001 Lexus with Washington license plates, Sgt. Shawn Heierman said.

A few minutes earlier, the driver had refused to pull over on a traffic stop in Redmond and eluded police during a pursuit in the city, he said.

Deputies found the car in the area of Northwest Helmholtz Way and Wickiup Avenue and engaged in a short pursuit, with speeds of 50 to 90 mph

The deputies pursued the car north on Helmholtz Way to the Tetherow Crossing subdivision.

The driver then sped down 49th Street, toward the Odin Falls Ranch area, briefly driving off-road in the Easton Court area and returning to the paved roadway on 62nd Street, Heierman said.

The driver then left his car in the road near 62nd and Griffith Avenue and ran.

Several sheriff’s deputies as well as Redmond and Bend police and Oregon State Police rushed to the area and set up a perimeter in attempt to find the male driver.

Patrol units were in the area, trying to find the man for about three hours, using “various location techniques,” but were unable to find him, Heierman said.

The incident remains under investigation. The sheriff’s office thanked the other law enforcement agencies for their help.