Police arrest suspect after high-speed chase and drone search in Eugene

SPRINGFIELD, Ore. — A high-speed chase involving a stolen vehicle ended in the arrest of a suspect in Eugene after a coordinated effort by multiple law enforcement agencies, the Springfield Police Department (SPD) said.

According to SPD, and an officer with the police department observed two vehicles speeding at the roundabout and appeared to be traveling around 9:50 p.m. on October 26.

Officials say the officer attempted a traffic stop, but the vehicles in question sped off in an attempt to avoid the SPD officer. Later, one of the vehicles slowed down and stopped on the side of the road.

However, the remaining vehicle continued to drive recklessly, according to SPD, speeding through the Glenwood neighborhood toward Eugene.

As SPD continued to pursue the suspect, units from the Eugene Police Department responded to assist. SPD Dispatch was able to confirm that the suspect vehicle was also stolen.

SPD says the suspect slowed down and exited the vehicle, which was still moving. The car hit a curb before coming to a stop, police said. After that, law enforcement officers detained the passenger who was still in the car. Polsey says the driver drove into thick vegetation in an attempt to flee from law enforcement.

Multiple agencies responded to the scene to assist, including K-9 teams from both SPD and the Lane County Sheriff’s Office. K-9 teams were working in coordination with operators from the Metro Drone team who spotted a large heat signature they believed to be suspicious.

Authorities searched the area for nearly an hour before officers eventually located the suspect, identified by police as a 31-year-old Springfield man named Benson, and arrested them without further incident.

Benson was arrested on the following charges in addition to other charges related to the open Theft III case investigated by SPD:

• Reckless endangerment
• Possession of a stolen car
• DUII
• Reckless driving
• Elude is a vehicle
• Theft III – Deception
• Warrant: FTA, FTC, FTP, PV, SC

SPD says Benson was booked into the Lane County Jail.