FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
DATE: March 22, 2026 

Salem Police Arrest Suspect in Stolen Vehicle 

SALEM, Ore. -- On March 21, 2026, at approximately 12:07 p.m., officers arrested Richard Wilson, 48, of Salem, following an attempt to elude officers near the downtown area. 

Officers spotted a stolen vehicle driving through downtown and followed it from a distance while others positioned themselves with stop sticks. The vehicle suddenly turned into a nearby parking lot at Commercial Street and Owens Street SE, pushing another vehicle out of the way before exiting onto Owens. It then turned north onto Liberty Street and drove at a high rate of speed towards downtown. 

The stolen vehicle struck a patrol car and was eventually boxed in at the intersection of Liberty Street and Mission Street SE. The driver, Wilson, fled on foot but was apprehended half a block away. 

Wilson was lodged at Marion County Jail on a Parole Violation Warrant and multiple charges related to the incident, including Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, Felony Attempt to Elude Police Officer and Misdemeanor Fail to Perform the Duties of a Driver (Hit and Run). 

The investigation is ongoing, and further inquiries should be directed to the Marion County District Attorney's Office. 

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