Prineville fugitive caught after DCSO chase NE of Redmond

Car first lost one rear tire, then other, crashed in ditch

(Update: More details from sheriff's office)

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- A pursuit northeast of Redmond Thursday morning hit speeds of nearly 80 mph and ended with the car losing two tires and ending up in a ditch, where Deschutes County sheriff's deputies arrested a 27-year-old Prineville fugitive on several charges.

Around 7:35 a.m., a sheriff's deputy tried to stop a purple 1996 Ford Probe near Canal Boulevard and O'Neil Way for failing to display a front license plate and expired registration, Sgt. William Bailey said.

The driver, later identified as Kent Vannorsdall, failed to stop and the deputy initiated a pursuit, Bailey said.

Early in the pursuit, the car's right rear tire failed, but Vannorsdall kept going on three tires and a rim, the sergeant said. The chase continued away from Redmond to the northeast, with speeds generally ranging from 40 to 65 mph but hitting 78 mph.

More deputies responded to help establish a perimeter and set up spike strips, in an attempt to stop the car, Bailey said.

About 14 minutes into the pursuit, the car lost the other rear tire and the driver lost control and ended up in the ditch near Smith Rock Way and Lone Pine Road, about a mile into Crook County, Bailey said.

Deputies took Vannorsdall into custody and he was taken to the Deschutes County Jail, where he was held without bail on one of two out-of-county warrants. He now faces charges of felony attempt to elude, methamphetamine and heroin possession, reckless driving, reckless endangering, theft and misdemeanor driving with a suspended license.

There were no injuries, Bailey said.

Police scanner reports indicated roads traveled during the chase included Upas Avenue, 37th Street and gravel roads.

Court records show Vannoorsdall has a lengthy criminal record. Last year, he pleaded guilty to fleeing or attempting to elude police and driving with a suspended or revoked license, and got a 60-day jail term.

A criminal history worksheet showed convictions for methamphetamine possession, trespass, theft and car theft in Deschutes, Crook, Grant and Linn counties since 2014