Redmond-area pursuit ends in crash, three arrests

Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies pursued a car they said nearly hit two patrol cars stopped to investigate an abandoned stolen van northeast of Redmond Monday afternoon. The car — allegedly driven by the van thief — crashed in a ditch and the three occupants ran but were caught and arrested.

Deputies were in the area of Northeast Upas Avenue and Negus Way around 4:35 p.m., conducting follow-up on a gray 2006 Nissan Quest van that was reported as suspicious, Sgt. Deke DeMars said. They learned the van had been stolen from Hertz Car Sales in Bend in recent days.

While in the area, three deputies saw a speeding black Ford Focus that almost struck one patrol car, then nearly rear-ended another one, DeMars said.

A deputy tried to make a traffic stop, but a pursuit ensued as the driver later identified as Jana Siler, 28, of Bend, headed east on Upas Avenue, then south on Negus Way, toward Redmond, reaching speeds of 70 mph.

But DeMars said Siler failed to negotiate a corner on Negus Way and her car crashed into a ditch on the south side of the road.

No one was injured in the crash, he said, and as deputies arrived at the scene, two women from the car were running south and a man was fleeing to the north.

Two deputies were able to chase and catch the man, identified as rear passenger Christopher McCrea, 27, of Bend. Another deputy was able to stop and detain the two women, Siler and front passenger Alexandra Vanalstine, 30, of Redmond.

Deputies later learned Siler had been in possession of the stolen van earlier in the day, DeMars said. The car was towed from the scene and the van returned to the Bend dealer. The Redmond police and fire departments assisted the sheriff’s office during the incident.

Siler was arrested on felony charges of fleeing or attempting to elude, misdemeanor attempt to elude, methamphetamine possession, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, reckless driving and six counts of recklessly endangering another person. Her initial bail was set at $40,000, jail records showed.

Vanalstine was treated by Redmond Fire medics and brought to St. Charles Redmond for medical evaluation before being taken to the county jail, where she was held without bail on a probation violation and a charge of methamphetamine possession. McCrea was arested on a parole violation arrest warrant and taken to the jail as well, also held without bail.

Siler’s 10-year criminal history includes numerous drug and theft charges, the most recent an arrest last month on charges of heroin and meth possession, second-degree theft of over $100 of merchandise at Kohl’s and felon in possession of a restricted weapon (a knife with a push-button release).

McCrea also has a 10-year record and pleaded guilty earlier this year to ID theft, second-degree theft and fraudulent use of a credit card. He was sentenced in March 10 days in jail on each charge and 18 months probation.

Vanalstine’s arrest record also dates back a decade. She most recently pleaded guilty in 2017 to being a felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 13 months in prison and two years probation.