Location: Newport
Date: 04-29-2021
Arrested: Van Earl DUNAGAN, age 58 of Crescent City, CA
Details:
On April 29, 2021 at 0423 a.m., a Newport Police Officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for a lighting violation. Through a record check of the vehicle, Dispatch informed the officer the truck had been reported stolen out of Crescent City, California.
The driver of the truck, later identified as 58-year-old Van Earl DUNAGAN of Crescent City, California, fled the traffic stop in the vehicle, initially traveling north on Highway 101. Newport Officers began to pursue the vehicle. DUNAGAN was driving erratically and at speeds up to 60 mph on Highway 101.
After a few minutes, DUNAGAN drove onto a dead-end street at NW 19th street and was blocked in by Officers. DUNAGAN was instructed to exit the vehicle, but refused to do so. Officers had to break the driver’s side window to gain access to DUNAGAN and DUNAGAN was taken into custody without further incident.
Officers learned that DUNAGAN had a Felony warrant out of Deschutes County for Attempt to Elude, Reckless Driving and Interfering with a Police Officer.
DUNAGAN was transported to the Lincoln County Jail and lodged for the crimes of: Unlawful Use of a Motor Vehicle (Felony), Attempt to Elude-Motor Vehicle (Felony), Reckless Driving (Misdemeanor), Disorderly Conduct (Misdemeanor) and having a Felony warrant out of Deschutes County.
The Newport Police Department wants to remind our citizens to continue to report suspicious activities. The Newport Police Tip Line is available at 541-574-5455, or Text-a-Tip at 541-270-1856 or tipline@newportpolice.net. If you have any information regarding this case, contact Officer Kittel of the Newport Police Department at 541-574-3348.
Location: Lincoln Beach, Oregon
Date/Time: April 27, 2021- 06:30 a.m.
Arrested: Leonid SAMOYLICH, age 42 Lebanon, OR
Details: On April 27, 2021, at 6:30a.m., Newport Police Officers were given information from the Police dispatch center that a vehicle had just been stolen from the Shell Station parking lot located at 22 N Coast Hwy, Newport, OR. A description of the vehicle and driver were given and Officers began to check the area. A few minutes later, an Officer spotted the vehicle traveling on NE 12th ST heading towards Hwy 101. Additional Officers got behind the vehicle and activated their overhead lights and sirens, but the vehicle took off at a high rate of speed north on Hwy 101 as Officers pursued. The vehicle was traveling at about 90mph and not staying within its lane. The pursuit was quickly terminated. Officers were able to identify the suspect as Leonid SAMOYLICH based on the description and previous contacts with SAMOYLICH.
Newport Officers radioed for assistance from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and the Lincoln City Police Department. A Lincoln County Sheriffs Deputy soon spotted SAMOYLICH driving the stolen vehicle near Wells ST and HWY 101 in Lincoln Beach, OR. The Deputy followed SAMOYLICH to a nearby address and when the Deputy attempted to contact SAMOYLICH, he ran from the stolen vehicle and hid in a nearby structure. Officers on scene then searched and located SAMOYLICH, detaining him without incident. SAMOYLICH denied stealing the vehicle and driving it.
SAMOYLICH was arrested for Eluding a Police Officer, Reckless driving, Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, Unlawful Entry into a Motor Vehicle and Theft I. He was lodged at the Lincoln County Jail with a $180,000-dollar bail.
The Newport Police Department wants to thank the Lincoln County Sheriffs Office and Lincoln City Police Department for their help.
The Newport Police Department wants to remind our citizens to continue to report suspicious activities. The Newport Police Tip Line is available at 541-574-5455, or Text-a-Tip at 541-270-1856 or tipline@newportpolice.net. If you have any information regarding this case, contact Officer Bales of the Newport Police Department at 541-574-3348.