Prineville police seek car, driver in slow-speed chase

(Update: Nature of traffic violations)

Prineville police sought the public’s help Monday in finding the driver, passenger or car that refused to pull over for a traffic stop Saturday night and led officers on a slow-speed pursuit, briefly interrupted when the passenger got out and apparently picked up a knife off the ground.

Around 9:30 p.m., police tried to stop a silver 2004 Cadillac SRX with Washington license plates for traffic violations in the area of Southeast Seventh and Holly streets, Sgt. Mark Monroe said. Officers said the violations were for a headlight that was out, failure to signal and speed.

Monroe said the driver failed to yield to emergency lights and sirens and kept driving at slow speeds through southeast Prineville, with its hazard lights on.

Shortly after the pursuit began, the car slowed a stop and a man got out of the front passenger side near the intersection of Southeast Sixth and Juniper streets, Monroe said. He appeared to reach down and pick up a knife as the driver left, eventually turning back toward Main Street.

The officer chose to stay with the car and driver, Monroe said. Officers tried to spike strip the car on Main Street, but the driver turned east on First Street before hitting them.

The driver continued on at slow speeds, returning to the southeast area of town, the sergeant said. The driver turned south on Combs Flat Road and sped up before turning into Juniper Canyon Road.

As the driver headed out into the county, the pursuing Prineville officer terminated the pursuit, Monroe said.

The vehicle is described as a silver 2004 Cadillac SRX with Washington plate 523 YHZ. It’s also described as having an off-colored or maroon front passenger side fender. The passenger is only being sought for a statement at this time, officers said.

Anyone with information about the driver, passenger or car is encouraged to contact the case agent, Officer Clayton Hagen, at 541-447-4168, email chagen@prinevillepd.org or send a private message on the department’s Facebook page.