Inmate work crew walkaway caught in Beaverton
An inmate who walked away from a Deer Ridge Correctional Institution work crew at Phil’s Trail on Bend’s Westside on Tuesday was caught in Beaverton Friday and taken to the Washington County Jail, the state Department of Corrections announced.
Beaverton police arrested Jason Michael Donaldson, 36, Friday morning, after “information led them to his whereabouts,” the announcement said. No specifics were included about what tips led to him.
Donaldson was lodged at the county jail in Hillsboro and is awaiting transport back to state custody, the agency said.
Department spokeswoman Elizabeth Craig said Donaldson “likely will lose his minimum (security) custody status,” adding that it’s “doubtful” he would return to Deer Ridge.
Donaldson walked away Tuesday afternoon from a work crew that was clearing debris from Phil’s Trail.
A full-scale investigation led by Oregon State Police ensued, with cooperation from DOC, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Bend Police Department, Lane County Sheriff’s Office, Eugene Police Department, Lincoln City Police Department, the Lincoln County Interagency Narcotics Team, Portland Police Bureau, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, and Beaverton Police Department.
Donaldson, 36, walked away from the work crew between 1:15 p.m. and 1:45 p.m. Tuesday as they worked off Forest Service Road 4604, said Deschutes County sheriff’s Lt. Paul Garrison.
Oregon State Police said Donaldson was working on a 10-man crew clearing debris from Phil’s Trailhead when staff discovered he was missing.
Donaldson entered DOC custody on Dec. 4, 2012, on three counts of first-degree theft three counts of second-degree burglary and one count of first-degree criminal mischief out of Lane County. His earliest release date is June 20, 2016.
Garrison said it was not known if he has family or friends in the Bend area.
Garrison later said a vehicle had been stolen in the Widgi Creek area, about 1.5 miles away, and last was seen by its owners about 12:30 p.m.
Someone matching Donaldson’s description was seen in the Widgi Creek area about an hour later, Garrison said, so there was a “pretty good chance” he stole it.
Donaldson also is known as Dunlap, Duncon, Cotell, Duncan and John Michael Dennis, the lieutenant said.
He’s described as having tattoos on his arms, shoulder and right ankle.
Donaldson was living in Junction City last October when he was arrested on burglary charges. Police were arresting him for probation violation when they spotted a candy jar and other items that matched ones taken from a local hardware store, The Tribune News reported.
He also was arrested in August 2011 and booked into the Lane County Jail on first-degree theft and second-degree burglary charges.
