Tri-County Fugitive Wanted For Multiple Crimes

TUALATIN, OR — Police have asked the public for help locating an alleged car thief wanted for multiple crimes committed in Multnomah, Clackamas, and Washington counties between August 2016 and last week.

Joshua Taylor Hayward, 22, is wanted in Tualatin for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and attempting to elude a police officer on Dec. 20.

Hayward was most recently arrested Dec. 4 on a warrant issued by a Multnomah County court in November for charges Hayward received Oct. 8, which accused him of reckless driving, recklessly endangering another person, fleeing a police officer, and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle all while driving under the influence of intoxicants — specifically methamphetamine and heroin, a potent and extremely dangerous combination often referred to as a "speedball."

Hayward his also facing charges in Clackamas County that he received in August and October 2016, which also include unauthorized use and possession of a stolen vehicle.

Just before 4 p.m. Dec. 20, police say Hayward was seen driving a purple 1994 Honda Civic that had been reported stolen the day before. Tualatin police reportedly tried to stop Hayward in the industrial area near Southwest Herman Road and Southwest Teton Avenue, but he chose to flee instead.

Assisting Hayward in his escape was his 25-year-old girlfriend, Chelsea Ann Munday.

Munday is accused of driving another stolen vehicle into the driver's side of a Tualatin police patrol car shortly after it began pursing Hayward, which effectively ended the police chase and allowed Hayward to get away. Tualatin police spokeswoman Jennifer Massey told Patch on Wednesday that Munday's maneuver took the officer completely by surprise.

However, the officer driving the patrol car was not injured in the collision, Massey said. Munday was taken into custody and transported to Meridian Park Hospital — though not as a result of the crash.

Munday was reportedly taken to hospital after she told officers she'd swallowed heroin and either meth or bath salts — she was apparently unsure which it was, Massey said.

Massey explained that Munday could not be formally charged with a crime by the Tualatin Police Department because she claimed to have ingested narcotics. Because police were forced to transport her to hospital, Munday could not be taken to jail.

So, at this time, Munday has not been officially charged with anything and her case is now pending review by the Washington County District Attorney's office — though it's not entirely clear what charges, if any, Munday will receive.

Meridian Park Hospital confirmed with Patch on Thursday that Munday was no longer registered as a patient.

Because Tualatin police recommended a grand jury review, Munday cannot be charged until that process is complete, Massey said — meaning Munday walked out of the hospital on her own before the DA formally charged her.

The Washington County DA's office on Thursday told Patch Munday's case hasn't yet been assigned to anyone, and it was unsure of Munday's current whereabouts. When and if the DA's office assigns Munday's case and issues formal charges, a warrant will likely be issued for her arrest, Massey said.

Meanwhile, back on Dec. 20, police located the now-empty stolen Civic on Southwest Herman Road shortly after Munday crashed into the Tualatin patrol car.

Sherwood, Tigard, and Beaverton police, with K9 assistance, could not find Hayward, Massey said.

At this time, it's entirely possible Munday and Hayward have reconnected and are again at large in the greater Portland metro community somewhere.

Anyone with information about Hayward's whereabouts is asked to call the Tualatin Police Department's non-emergency line at 503-629-0111. Anonymous tips can be left at 503-691-0285.

This post has been updated with additional information from the Washington County District Attorney's Office.

Image via Tualatin Police Department