Vancouver woman arrested after fleeing police

A Vancouver woman was among several people arrested Tuesday after allegedly eluding police in a remote area south of Jefferson County, Ore.

Allison M. Eldred, 31, was booked into the Deschutes County Jail for being a fugitive from Washington who escaped community custody, Oregon State Police said.

Around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, an Oregon State Police sergeant attempted to stop a Dodge Intrepid that was speeding on state Highway 97 south of Madras, Ore. Rather than pull over, the driver turned off the highway, where the sergeant lost sight of the car, which turned out to be stolen.

About an hour later, police found tire tracks and started searching the area with help from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement and the Warm Springs Police Department. They found the unoccupied car after noon.

About 90 minutes after that, police found Eldred, who had a warrant for her arrest from the Washington State Department of Corrections for allegedly escaping community custody, and Nicholas S. Eldred, 34, of Portland. He was lodged into the Jefferson County Jail on accusations of conspiracy to possess and manufacture a controlled substance. Oregon State Police reported seizing about 50 grams of methamphetamine.

A third suspect, who had also been in the stolen Intrepid, was reportedly picked up by two of his friends.

That suspect, Dustin J. Nash, 42, of LaPine, Ore. was later arrested during a traffic stop north of Terrebonne, Ore. He was accused of attempting to elude in a vehicle, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, reckless endangerment and unlawful possession, distribution and manufacture of methamphetamine.

The friends who had picked him up, Benjamin D. Morganti, 45, and Julia L. Pincjney, 42, both of LaPine, were arrested on accusations of hindering prosecution. Oregon State Police continue investigating, and say there may be additional charges.

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