Linn County Sheriff Jim Yon reports this afternoon his deputies were involved in a pursuit of a theft suspect.  The suspect vehicle, a red 2000 Honda Civic with Illinois plates, was involved in a gas theft on February 2 at Porter’s on Hwy 99E in Tangent.  

Today at 1:38 p.m., deputies found the vehicle at the east side Albany McDonald’s with the driver matching the theft suspect’s description.  When deputies tried to contact the driver about the theft, he put his vehicle in reverse and crashed into the patrol vehicle causing extensive damage to the front and passenger side before fleeing. Deputies were outside their patrol vehicle when it was hit and were not injured.

Deputies pursued the Honda through Albany and onto Highway 20.  The pursuit continued towards Sweet Home where the vehicle was spiked on Highway 20 near the intersection of Wiley Creek Road.  Two of the tires were successfully deflated, but the Honda continued until it finally stopped near Mile Post 48 on Highway 20 east of Cascadia.  Speeds during the pursuit were between 20 and 85 mph.

When the Honda finally stopped, the driver got out and ran down a steep embankment.  An Albany Police Department K-9 unit assisted the deputies.  The K-9 was sent to capture the suspect as he continued to run.  He resisted and drug the K-9 50 yards into the woods before the deputies caught up to them.  The suspect continued to resist and was taken into custody after being tased.  He was the sole occupant of the vehicle.

The suspect was identified as Derrick Tyree Smallwood, 28 of Lebanon.   Smallwood is from Georgia but has been living in Lebanon for the last month.  

Smallwood was taken to Lebanon Community Hospital to be treated for non-life threatening injuries.  He is being charged with Attempt to Elude (in a vehicle), Attempt to Elude (on foot), Fail to Perform Duties of a Driver (property damage), Reckless Endangering, Criminal Mischief II, Escape III, Reckless Driving, Resisting Arrest, and Theft III.

Linn County Sheriff’s Office deputies were assisted by Albany Police Department, Lebanon Police Department, Sweet Home Police Department and Sweet Home Fire Department.

At the time of the press release, there is no mug shot available.