Effort resulted in multiple stolen vehicle arrests, and life saving measures during a medical emergency

VANCOUVER – On Friday (Jan. 26), the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) conducted its third Southwest Washington joint Stolen Vehicle Operation (SVO) with the Clark County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO). This operation ran concurrently with multiple law enforcement agencies in the Portland metro area who ran their own SVO mission. 

Here is a link to the Portland Police Bureau SVO informational release: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/police/news/

The results of last night’s Southwest Washington SVO included the recovery of four stolen vehicles. The operation started with a stolen vehicle that was occupied by three subjects. After officers attempted to stop the vehicle with their emergency lights activated, the suspects exited the stolen vehicle and fled on foot. After a brief foot pursuit, the driver was arrested for Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, Attempt to Elude, Possession of Stolen Property, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and an outstanding warrant. One of the passengers had an outstanding warrant out of Oregon and a Robbery suspect out of CCSO. 

Officers also located and stopped a vehicle that was involved in a Drive-by Shooting that occurred in the early hours of Jan. 26 in Vancouver. The vehicle was seized pending a search warrant authorization, which is being investigated by the VPD Crime Reduction Unit. The occupants were interviewed, and the driver was placed under arrest for Drive-By shooting and an outstanding warrant. Additional charges are pending.  A later search of the vehicle used in the drive-by shooting recovered a suspected stolen Glock 26, several gun magazines, and ammunition.

During the operation, a Vancouver resident called 9-1-1 to report their vehicle was just stolen. Officers spotted the vehicle which fled into Portland. Portland officers were able to successfully stop the vehicle and take the driver into custody.

In another incident in the night, a confirmed occupied stolen vehicle was spotted. Officers in unmarked vehicles were able to pin the vehicle. The driver was eager to escape and attempted to drive out of the pin, however, the suspects were unsuccessful. The driver was arrested for Possession of a Stolen Vehicle and a warrant.  The passenger was arrested for Taking a Motor Vehicle without Permission. 

During the SVO, Detectives were in the Vancouver Mall area and quickly responded to an AED request stemming from a 9-1-1 call for an overdose medical emergency.  Detectives quickly arrived, administered Narcan and began CPR until medical arrived on scene.  The subject was transported to the hospital and is expected to survive. 

The Vancouver Police Department will continue to conduct future SVO’s in an effort to reduce vehicle thefts and the crimes associated with stolen vehicles.  

Information provided by the Vancouver Police Department.