Officer Injured During Car Chase In Southeast Portland, Police Say

PORTLAND, OR — A Portland police officer was taken to hospital after an early morning car chase in Southeast Portland Friday, according to police officials. The injured officer, who remains unidentified, was released by 10 a.m., police said.

Andrew Douglas Lentz, 33, was booked into the Multnomah County Jail around 8 a.m. Friday but has since been released on his own recognizance, according to the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office jail website. Lentz is facing charges of attempt to elude, reckless driving, criminal mischief, and failure to perform the duties of a driver.

The chase began shortly before 3:45 a.m. July 21, when an East Precinct officer attempted to stop Lentz's 1989 red Jeep Comanche pickup near Southeast 100th Avenue and Southeast Holgate Boulevard. Other officers had reportedly seen the Jeep moving about recklessly prior to the officer initiating the traffic stop.

Lentz had other plans, however, and opted for a car chase, police said.

Spike strips flattened some of the Jeep's tires, and multiple officers reportedly attempted to stop the Jeep using the PIT maneuver, but Lentz continued on, police said.

When officers attempted to box-in the Jeep near the intersection of Southeast 72nd Avenue and Southeast Foster Road, near Mt. Scott Park, Lentz reportedly rammed two police cruisers, injuring one officer.

Police were able to successfully box-in the Jeep, however, and took Lentz into custody without further incident.

The officer was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, police said. He has since been released.

This post has been updated to include Andrew Douglas Lentz's name.

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