Alfalfa police chase ends in crash, fugitive’s arrest

An attempted traffic stop in Alfalfa Thursday afternoon turned into a police chase that ended in a crash, foot chase and arrest of the fugitive driver, Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies said.

Deputies tried to pull over a 2003 Jeep near the Alfalfa Market Store around 12:20 p.m. for minor traffic violations, Sgt. Kent Vander Kamp said.

The driver, later identified as Stan Lee Glover, 34, of Alfalfa, sped away instead, sparking a pursuit through the rural area east of Bend for several miles at speeds ranging from 30 to 70 mph, Vander Kamp said.

Deputies used a PIT (Pursuit Intervention Technique) maneuver near the intersection of Johnson Ranch and Alfalfa Market roads, a straight stretch of road where there was no traffic at the time, the sergeant said.

The maneuver is designed to force a fleeing car to abruptly turn sideways, causing the driver to lose control and stop. Vander Kamp said it’s designed as a safe alternative to bring vehicle pursuits to an end and prevent risk to the public.

Glover did lose control of the Jeep, Vander Kamp said, driving through a pasture’s fence and into a shoulder ditch, where it rolled onto its side.

Glover climbed out of the Jeep and began running through the pasture, with deputies in pursuit. Vander Kamp said Glover continued to resist arrest, but after a brief struggle was placed under arrest. He was taken to St. Charles Bend for treatment of minor injuries sustained during the pursuit.

The damaged fence contained a nearby family’s horse. Deputies and Alfalfa Fire District firefighters corralled the horse in a smaller pasture and contacted the homeowners. The sergeant said the horse was unhurt, and the sheriff’s office was working with the homeowners to repair the fence.

After medical treatment, Glover was lodged in the Deschutes County Jail in Bend, held without bail on felony parole and probation violation warrants.

Other charges included attempting to elude police in a vehicle and on foot, felony driving with a suspended license, resisting arrest, interfering with a police officer, reckless driving and criminal mischief.

Vander Kamp said the sheriff’s office wants to thank Oregon State Police and the Alfalfa Rural Fire District for the assistance in the investigation.

Glover’s court records show numerous felony and misdemeanor arrests over the past 15 years on charges ranging from theft and burglary to criminal trespass, DUII, escape, car theft, criminal mischief and methamphetamine possession.