Washington County Deputies Arrest Milwaukie Man After Lengthy Chase Wednesday

CORNELIUS, OR – A police chase across Washington County ended with the arrest of a Milwaukie man and the discovery of a hefty load of allegedly stolen property Wednesday morning, according to Washington County Sheriff's officials.

Leroy Foos, 45, was arrested shortly after 1 a.m. April 19 and charged with driving under the influence of intoxicants (DUII), reckless driving, and attempt to elude police following a lengthy chase that began in Cornelius and ended on Highway 26 near Sylvan and Southwest Scholls Ferry Road, WCSO spokesman Sgt. Vance Stimler told Patch Wednesday. Additional charges may be given for the property found in Foos' 2011 Toyota Corolla, pending the outcome of an investigation, Stimler said.

Sheriff's deputies initially pulled Foos over in Cornelius on suspicion of DUII, but Foos opted to flee west toward Highway 47 in Forest Grove, where he then turned north and drove toward Highway 26, Stimler said.

Upon reaching Highway 26, Foos reportedly then sped east until coming into contact with spike strips laid with assistance from Oregon State Police and the Hillsboro and Beaverton police departments. Officers ultimately used a PIT maneuver to bring the chase to an end near the top of Sylvan Hill, Stimler said.

After the arrest, police discovered a rather large, suspicious amount of property in Foos' vehicle, Stimler said.

"It's a little unusual to have that much stuff in a car," he said. "Evidence would suggest those items are stolen."

Early investigations led police to believe the items found in Foos' car have connections to reports of stolen property, Stimler said. Whether the items were stolen from one city or several is unknown. Police are attempting to contact the properties' owners, Stimler said.

Photos Courtesy: Washington County Sheriff's Office