Robert E. Mitchell, 55, of Vancouver, was arrested after leading officers in a chase that culminated on the Oregon side of the Interstate Bridge

A Vancouver man involved in a domestic violence incident was taken into custody Thursday after attempting to elude law enforcement.

On Thursday (Oct. 20) at 9:45 p.m., a CCSO deputy was on patrol in the Hazel Dell area of Clark County, when he heard shots and saw a gold sedan leaving eastbound on Minnehaha St. at a high rate of speed, clearly in excess of the posted 35 mph speed limit. 

The deputy advised dispatch and other units of the vehicle description and direction, as it appeared the vehicle may be related to the shots heard. A second deputy responded to the area where the shots had been heard, the 1100 block of NE Minnehaha St.. 

At 9:46 p.m., the victim called CRESA from the 1100 block of NE Minnehaha, and told the 9-1-1 operator that her estranged ex-husband threw something through her window. Minutes later, a responding deputy arrived, and observed shell casings in the street and parking lot, and bullet strikes on the front door.  He also observed what appeared to be bullet holes in a window above the front door. 

Deputies still pursuing the vehicle were advised of the evidence located at the scene. Prior to the activation of emergency lights and initiation of a pursuit, the driver was observed accelerating to approximately 80 mph in the 40 mph zone while southbound on NE St. Johns Rd. A pursuit of the vehicle was then authorized and initiated by deputies. 

The vehicle attempted to elude numerous pursuing deputies and detectives with emergency lights and sirens activated, southbound on Interstate 5. The driver fled at speeds well over 80 mph with reckless disregard of other drivers on the freeway.  The driver attempted to pass vehicles yielding to the approaching emergency vehicles by driving around them on the right, creating a risk of collision at excessive speed. 

A pursuing detective observed the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle throw a gun out the driver’s window as the pursuit entered the Interstate Bridge. 

A PIT maneuver was conducted on the vehicle successfully bringing it to a stop on the Oregon side of the Interstate Bridge.  The sole occupant of the vehicle, Robert E. Mitchell, 55, of Vancouver, was detained.  

The handgun, a Ruger LCP .380 caliber, was located mid-span of the Interstate Bridge, and was collected as evidence.  

In addition to the female victim, two children, ages 6 and 4 were present inside of the residence at the time of the shooting.  No one was injured.

A temporary warrant for the arrest of Mitchell was issued for the crimes of Attempted Murder in the 1^st Degree (DV), Drive By Shooting (DV), Attempted Burglary in the 1^st Degree (DV), Unlawful Possession of Firearm 1^st Degree, Reckless Endangerment (DV), Attempting to Elude Pursuing Police Vehicle. 

The Portland Police Bureau was advised of the warrant, and will be booking Mitchell into the Multnomah County Jail. 

Information provided by Clark County Sheriff’s Office.