About 6:02 a.m. Tuesday Willamette Valley Communications Center dispatch received a report of a vehicle stolen from the Siletz Valley Charter School in Siletz. The owner of the vehicle also reported that there was a firearm stored in the vehicle. Dispatch broadcast detailed information to the Newport Police Department, who had Officers on duty, in an attempt to locate the vehicle.
At about 7:10 am, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Antonio Ortiz located the vehicle in driving southbound on Highway 101 in South Beach, and attempted to initiate a traffic stop. The vehicle continued driving, turning into South Beach State Park, where Newport Police officers responded to assist. In South Beach State Park the vehicle continued to drive recklessly, endangering bystanders, until a citizen stood in its path and the driver stopped the vehicle. Deputy Ortiz, with assistance from Newport police, conducted a high-risk traffic stop and removed the driver from the vehicle. The driver is identified as 47-year-old Randy Johnson of Newport.
Johnson was taken into custody and lodged at the Lincoln County Jail on charges of Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, Fleeing or Attempting to Elude a Police Officer (Felony), Criminal Mischief in the First Degree, Theft in the First Degree, Reckless Driving, and Recklessly Endangering Another Person.