Spike strip ends Hwy. 97 police pursuit near Bend

A tip on the whereabouts of a wanted Redmond man led to an attempted traffic stop and a police chase Wednesday south on Highway 97 toward Bend, ending when spike strips deflated a tire on the fleeing driver’s car, officers said.

Police had received information that Joey Lee Cox, 44, wanted on a probation violation charge, was leaving the Original Pancake House on Airport Way, said Lt. Mike Kidwell.

Cox was driving a gray Saturn Ion and was spotted driving near Highway 97 and Veterans Way, Kidwell said. Officers tried to pull him over, but Cox continued south on Highway 97 at speeds reaching 65 mph, officers said.

Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies responded to assist as the chase left the city, Kidwell said.

Deputies placed spike strips that caught the Saturn near Deschutes Junction and resulted in gradual deflation of the left front tire.

Cox’s car pulled over near Bower Lane, where the driver, who was alone, was taken into custody without incident. He was lodged in the county jail, held without bail on the probation violation charge. He also faces new felony charges of attempting to elude a police vehicle and two counts of reckless driving.

Redmond police expressed thanks to the sheriff’s office, Deschutes County 911 and citizens who kept dispatchers up to date with the car’s description and direction of travel.

“Their assistance allowed this incident to be brought to a safe and successful conclusion without injury to anyone,” Kidwell said in a news release.