Suspect sought for eluding Hermiston police

By Dan Thesman. Published Thursday, June 28th, 2012

<p>Richard Correa</p>

Richard Correa

Police are looking for a man who failed to comply with an officer and remains at large, along with an unidentified female following an incident last night in Hermiston.  Here is a copy of their news release:

On the 27th of June 2012, at approximately 11:45 PM, Officer Scott Clark of the Hermiston Police Department was parked stationary in the 800 block of W Elm Ave when he observed a pickup truck traveling eastbound on Elm Street with what appeared to be portions of the truck painted with spray paint.  Officer Clark believed the truck looked familiar and pulled out onto Elm Ave to get a closer look.

Officer Clark watched as the vehicle turned south onto NW 7th, turned off all lights, and increased it speed well above the posted the 25 mph zone.  Officer Clark increased his speed to try and figure out what was going on.  As Clark approached the intersection of W Ridgeway Ave and NW 7th, he could see skid marks on the roadway.  Just around the corner at 693 W Ridgeway Ave, the pickup came to rest in the yard after destroying a mailbox and rose bushes.

Clark exited his vehicle and attempted to order the occupants out of the pickup.  Clark recognized the driver as Richard Correa, 28 years of age, with a last provided address of 750 E Cassen Court, Hermiston.  Correa refused to comply and put the truck in drive, speeding off eastbound on W Ridgeway Ave.

After running back to his vehicle, Clark began to pursue Correa.  Correa turned onto N 1st Place and is believed to have reached speeds in excess of 100 mph as he fled down Old River Road.  Clark was nearing a decision to terminate the pursuit around Three Mile Dam on Old River Road, when he observed Correa spinning out while trying to negotiate the turn eastbound onto Bensel Road.  Correa traveled approximately 500 yards northbound down the Union Pacific railroad tracks before getting the truck stuck.  Correa and his unknown female occupant fled on foot and were not located.

The pickup, which had stolen plates on it, was in fact a 1991 Chevrolet stolen from the Golden Manor (980 W Hermiston Ave-Hermiston) parking lot on the 6th of June, 2012.

The Hermiston Police Department will be sending this entire report to the Umatilla County District Attorney’s Office for charging.