Madras motorcyclist jailed after wild chase
A Madras man was arrested Monday afternoon after he led several police agencies on a pursuit of a stolen motorcycle that extended from the Terrebonne area to Metolius, Culver and Madras at speeds that topped 90 mph at times.
According to Oregon State Police Senior Trooper Jed Rzegocki, around 3:10 p.m., OSP tried to pull over a 2009 Kawasaki motorcycle northbound on Highway 97 near the Jefferson/Deschutes County line after observing unspecified equipment violations.
The motorcycle accelerated in an attempt to elude the trooper at varying speeds, occasionally exceeding 90 mph, he said.
When the motorcycle entered Madras, that city’s police officers took over as it went on several city streets and at one point went off-road in an attempt to elude officers.
The motorcycle then headed south on SW Culver Highway and through the communities of Metolius and Culver, Rzegocki said.
OSP broke off involvement as Madras and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office units turned off their overhead lights and sirens, continuing to follow the motorcycle at a safe distance.
The sheriff’s office had two Search and Rescue pilots available and put a plane in the air to monitor the motorcycle’s travel.
The pilots said they saw motorcycle go back toward Madras, where the operator ditched it at an apartment complex. The SAR pilots and witnesses on the ground directed police to the apartment where the rider went.
Around 4:30 p.m., OSP troopers arrested Brent Lee Waldorf, 21, of Madras. He was lodged at the county jail on local charges of Felony Attempt to Elude on a Vehicle, Misdemeanor Attempt to Elude on Foot, Reckless Driving, Possession of a Stolen Vehicle and Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle.
The investigation revealed the motorcycle was reported stolen to Gresham police back on March 12. The displayed license plate was switched from another motorcycle, troopers said.
Waldorf also was cited for numerous traffic violations. He remained held in the Madras jail Monday night on nearly $20,000 bail.
