A 31-year old Bend man has been charged with over two dozen offenses after he allegedly led officers on a car chase in a stolen vehicle, crashed, fled on foot, stole a second vehicle then ran when he was located, tried unsuccessfully to steal a police car, stole a third vehicle, crashed into a parked car, fled on foot, then was ultimately captured as he attempted to break into a nearby duplex.

Jason Lee Taylor - DCJ photo

The series of events began shortly after 6 a.m. on Saturday, September 22, when Jason Lee Taylor failed to stop for a routine traffic violation as he drove a 2002 Dodge Stratus near the intersection of 4^th Street and Greenwood Avenue, Bend Police Lt. Ken Mannix said.  The pursuing officer determined the vehicle was reported stolen, and followed it at speeds of 40-45 mph to 5^th Street and Olney where the car crashed into the center landscape median, Mannix said.

According to the news release, Taylor fled on foot following the crash, but Bend Police assisted by Deschutes County Sheriff’s deputies were unable to locate the suspect.

About 2 ½ hours later, police responded to the report of a vehicle stolen from a residence near 5^th Street and Quimby.  Officers and deputies responded, and about 15 minutes later the vehicle was found, with Taylor sitting inside, near the intersection of NE Dawson & NE Stanton.  Taylor jumped out of the car and ran, then tried to gain access to a marked Bend Police car, the lieutenant said. 

The suspect then jumped into a vehicle parked on the nearby roadway and drove off, followed closely by pursuing officers and deputies.  Taylor rounded a corner onto NE Dawson and crashed into a parked car, Mannix said.

The suspect then ran across the street and tried to force his way into the front door of a duplex, the news release stated.  He was ultimately taken into custody after he resisted arrest, and was lodged in the Deschutes County Jail.  One police officer received minor injuries.

Taylor is charged with three counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, one count of attempted unlawful use of a motor vehicle, two counts of attempting to elude in a vehicle, two counts of attempting to elude on foot, two counts of reckless driving, two counts of reckless endangering, two counts of hit-and-run, two counts of first-degree criminal mischief, a single count of second-degree criminal mischief, first-degree attempted burglary, two counts of possession of a schedule-II controlled substance, resisting arrest, second-degree theft, and three counts of driving under the influence of intoxicants.

The investigation is ongoing, Lt. Mannix said, asking anyone with information to contact police at 541-322-2960.