On March 20, 2018, at 6:17 am Corvallis Police Department Officers were dispatched to a report of three male suspects who had broken into the fenced lot of Wilson Ford at 1105 NW 5th ST in order to steal diesel fuel. The suspects had fled the area on foot just prior to officers arriving. While searching the area, officers located and detained two of the suspects, identified as Luke Phlaum and Kenneth Tachell, both of Grants Pass. As the investigation continued, it was learned that the two suspect in custody were connected to a white Ford F-350 that was somewhere in the area. A third suspect was found a while later in the white Ford F-350 on NW Cornell Ave. As officers tried to contact the male in the truck, he sped off and led officers on a pursuit north on NW 9th ST then west on NW Walnut Blvd. Officers terminated the pursuit due to safety concerns for the public.

With the help of the Philomath Police Department, Benton County Sheriff's Office, and Oregon State Police, the truck was located abandoned on NW Windsor Pl and the suspect had fled on foot in the area. The truck was determined to be a stolen vehicle from Grants Pass and was seized. Officers continued to search the area for the suspect but did not located him.

Kenneth Tachell was transported to the Benton County Jail where he was charged with Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, Criminal trespass II, Criminal Mischief II, Unlawful Entry into a Motor Vehicle, Offensive Littering, Theft III, False Information to Police, and a warrant out of Grants Pass for Dangerous Drugs.

Luke Phlaum was transported to the Benton County Jail where he was charged with Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle, Criminal Mischief II, Unlawful Entry into a Motor Vehicle, Offensive Littering, Theft III, and Criminal Trespass II.

https://www.co.benton.or.us/sheriff/inmate_detail?inmate=1700002386
https://www.co.benton.or.us/sheriff/inmate_detail?inmate=1700002385