Prineville motorcycle chase, public tips lead to arrest

A Prineville fugitive was arrested on several charges Saturday after an attempted traffic stop turned into a motorcycle pursuit that hit speeds of 75 mph, police said. Tips from the public helped find the hiding rider, who was arrested, and a passenger, who was not.

Police tried to stop the driver of a yellow and white Honda motorcycle for failing to stop at several controlled intersections, Capt. Larry Seymour said.

The motorcycle operator, Kristin Loranger, 36, had a 44-year-old Prineville woman riding as a passenger, Seymour said.

Loranger eluded police on several streets in the area of Southwest Deer Street, making his way to South Main Street and heading south on Highway 27 out of the city, the lieutenant said.

Loranger violated numerous laws during the pursuit, Seymour said, reaching speeds of 45 to 65 mph for most of the chase but about 75 mph once out of the city limits.

Seymour said Prineville police terminated the pursuit around milepost 5 on Highway 27, but officers and Crook County sheriff’s deputies continued patrols north and south on the highway to make sure Loranger did not pull over, hide or run away.

After talking to several helpful citizens along Highway 27, police determined Loranger had pulled off somewhere along a five-mile stretch. Seymour said officers were able to find some tire tracks that left the highway and entered private property owned by Quail Valley Ranch.

About 10 to 20 minutes after the chase ended, officers found the motorcycle hidden under some brush, behind a large boulder, Seymour said. They also located Loranger and the passenger hiding a short distance away and detained both.

After questioning, Loranger was arrested on several charges, including attempt to elude police (vehicle), reckless driving, reckless endangering, second-degree criminal trespass and misdemeanor driving with a revoked license. He was taken to the Crook County Jail and held without bail on a parole violation.

Seymour said officers determined Loranger likely fled police due to his suspended license and the felony probation violation.

While the passenger was questioned and was not cooperative with the investigation, Seymour said she was not arrested at the time, since she was the victim of reckless endangering. The motorcycle was impounded.

Court records show numerous arrests of Loranger on charges ranging from theft and ID theft to burglary and criminal mischief.

Prineville police thanked the sheriff’s office and citizens along the highway for being observant and willing to help police.

“Once again, with the help of citizens, we were able to quickly investigate a crime and make an arrest,” Seymour wrote.