La Pine motorcycle chase leads to search, arrest

A Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office K-9 helped deputies track down and arrest a La Pine motorcyclist who failed to pull over for a traffic violation late Wednesday night, sparking a brief chase in the area, deputies said.

Around 11:30 p.m., deputy tried to stop the Honda off-road motorcycle for a traffic violation near Big Timber Drive and Amber Lane, said Lt. Paul Garrison.

The pursuit lasted less than two minutes, reaching about 50 mph, Garrison said.

The rider, later identified as Thomas Wayne VanHoose, 39, of La Pine, appeared to have mechanical difficulties and got off the motorcycle, running in a southeast direction toward the Deschutes River.

Garrison said the pursuing deputy was quickly joined at the scene by a K-9 team, and a track of the rider was begun, ending in his successful capture near the Deschutes River.

The sheriff’s office was assisted in the apprehension of VanHoose by the Oregon State Police and Sunriver Police Department, Garrison said.

VanHoose was booked into the Deschutes County Jail in Bend on felony and misdemeanor charges of attempting to elude (by vehicle and on foot), as well as methamphetamine possession and supplying contraband. He was held without bail on a parole violation charge.