Vehicle pursued by police crashes into gas station store
Tualatin police pursued a motorist driving without headlights and no license plates through the streets of that city early Tuesday morning before the vehicle crashed into a gas station convenience store.
The 7-minute pursuit began at 1:07 a.m. and police set down spike strips along Nyberg Road, according to a news release from the Tualatin Police Department.
As those spikes were being laid down, the driver, later identified as James Powell, 20, who's believed to have been from the Seattle area, allegedly swerved toward an officer, nearly striking him.
Although one tire was flattened, Powell's vehicle continued until entering the Jackson Food Store/Shell gas station at 7090 S.W. Nyberg Road.
The vehicle continued through the parking lot and through the front door, nearly striking two employees who were standing in the doorway, according to police.
Law enforcement officers from the Tualatin and Tigard police departments, along with the Oregon State Police and the Washington County Sheriff's Office, found Powell standing outside his vehicle in the store and negotiated for his surrender for approximately 24 minutes before he peacefully surrendered and was taken into custody.
Powell was lodged at Washington County Jail on charges of felony elude, first-degree criminal mischief, reckless endangering, reckless driving and interfering with a police officer.
You count on us to stay informed and we depend on you to fund our efforts. Quality local journalism takes time and money. Please support us to protect the future of community journalism.
