Lincoln City Police arrest 40-year-old Andrew L. Barnett of Portland, Oregon after he stole a vehicle from an acquaintance and then led police on a short pursuit.
On Thursday, February 25, 2021 at about 3:30 AM, Lincoln City Police responded to a report that a vehicle parked at the North Shell Station, located at 4031 NW Hwy 101, had just been stolen. Upon arriving at the location, officers learned from the vehicle owner that she had stopped at the Shell station’s convenience store to purchase some items. While she was inside the store an acquaintance who had stayed in the vehicle drove off, taking the vehicle and the owner’s dog without permission.
Responding officers began searching the area for the vehicle and found it travelling southbound on NW Harbor traveling at a high rate of speed before spinning out while trying to make a hard turn. Officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop and the vehicle initially pulled into a nearby driveway with officers stopping behind it. The driver of the vehicle then pulled forward and then reversed, almost backing into the police vehicle. The driver then quickly accelerated forward driving through a yard before crashing the vehicle over a steep embankment in an attempt to get away. With the vehicle stuck partly in the road and partly on the embankment, the driver jumped out and started running away on foot with the officer following closely behind. The driver ran for about 50 feet before stopping as the officer was commanding him to do so.
The driver, and only occupant of the vehicle, was taken into custody without further incident and identified as Andrew L. Barnett of Portland, Oregon. Barnett was initially checked at the scene by medical personnel from Pac West Ambulance and North Lincoln Fire & Rescue before being transported to Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital after he complained of having chest pains and a history of heart issues. Once released from the hospital, Barnett was transported to the Lincoln County Jail and lodged on the following charges: Unlawful Use of a Motor Vehicle, Felony Elude in a Motor Vehicle, Misdemeanor Elude on Foot, Reckless Driving, Fail to Perform the Duties of a Driver Involved in a Crash and Theft I of a Companion Animal. The vehicle was towed from the location and the victim was reunited with her dog.
The Lincoln City Police would like to thank Pacific West Ambulance and North Lincoln Fire & Rescue their assistance with this incident. We are thankful there were no injuries and only minor property damage sustained as a result of the pursuit.
Submitted by: Sergeant Jeffrey Winn