Austin Allan Ross, 19, of Lebanon, was arrested after leading Linn County Deputies on a high-speed chase in a stolen vehicle through Sweet Home on Tuesday, March 14.
At 9:36 a.m. Tuesday the Linn County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a stolen vehicle at the Lacomb Store shortly before, according to a news release.
The owner of the vehicle contacted OnStar, which transferred the call to LCSO.
LCSO Undersheriff Jim Yon said they occasionally have dealt with OnStar, which can provide the police with the vehicle’s exact location, speed, and direction of movement.
“It does not occur very often, maybe one to three times a year,” Yon said.
The white 2004 Chevrolet pickup was last known to be heading east from the store.
OnStar was able to track the vehicle until a deputy located it on Highway 20, east of Sweet Home.
Deputies followed the vehicle into Sweet Home where it pulled into the parking lot of a local business.
As the deputies attempted to contact Ross, he sped off. The vehicle sped through a residential neighborhood before returning to Highway 20.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Ross proceeded east bound on Highway 20 and reached speeds over 100 mph. Linn County deputies continued to pursue him east on Highway 20 and up Quartzville Road.
The chase went through Sweet Home while traffic was being diverted off Main Street for a two-vehicle crash, said Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District Chief Dave Barringer.
“The car chase did not go through the first crash,” Barringer said. “We could hear sirens but couldn’t see it.”
Ross lost control of his vehicle and crashed on Quartzville Road.
He then fled from the vehicle, down a steep embankment towards the river, and was apprehended shortly thereafter.
The pursuit lasted about seven minutes and a total of eight miles were traveled, according to Sheriff’s reports.
SHFAD checked the patient, Ross, but he was not transported, Barringer said. He was in police custody.
Ross was transported to the Linn County Jail on charges of unauthorized use of a vehicle, elude by vehicle, elude by foot and reckless driving.
Ross was released on March 16 and is due in court on April 3 for a status check hearing.
The case remains under investigation.