News Release from: Oregon State Police
WOMAN ARRESTED FOLLOWING ATTEMPT TO ELUDE IN UMATILLA COUNTY
Posted: December 27th, 2012 4:02 PM
A Hermiston-area woman was arrested Thursday afternoon when she attempt to elude State, county and city police officers following a reported non-custodial parental interference complaint in Umatilla County. When stopped, police officers found two small children ages 3 years (boy) and 8 months (girl) inside the vehicle.
On December 27, 2012 at approximately 12:54 p.m., Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers set up westbound on Interstate 84 near milepost 197 to assist Pendleton Police Department with a Ford Explorer attempting to elude an officer. When the Ford Explorer passed two troopers, they took over the lead positions as the vehicle continued westbound at speeds over 100 mph. During the incident, OSP learned the vehicle was originally sought by Umatilla County Sheriff's Office (UCSO) related to a non-custodial parental interference complaint involving the female operator.
Near milepost 188, the vehicle took the Stanfield exit where an OSP sergeant deployed spike strips and successfully struck both front tires. The vehicle continued northbound for about five miles as both front tires came off.
At approximately 1:10 p.m., the Ford Explorer stopped at S. Edwards Road and Feedville Road where police officers from multiple agencies took the female operator into custody. Officers found the two small children in child seats inside the vehicle that was later confirmed stolen.
AMELIA V. CORTEZ, age 26, from Hermiston, was lodged in the Umatilla County Jail by OSP and Pendleton police on the following charges:
* Warrant - Probation Violation (Umatilla County)
* Warrant - Probation Violation (Umatilla County)
* Warrant - Fail to Appear (Morrow County)
* Felony Attempt to Elude in a Vehicle
Additional charges may be pending. The children were released to a Umatilla County deputy.
Questions regarding the original complaint should be directed to Umatilla County Sheriff's Office.
Officers from Stanfield and Hermiston police departments also assisted during the incident.
No photographs available for this release. A photograph of CORTEZ may be available later on UCSO jail roster webpage.
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