Woman Arrested After Ramming Police Cruiser, Attempting Escape

PORTLAND, OR — After ramming a police car with her vehicle, a woman was arrested on multiple charges Wednesday afternoon, Portland police officials said.

Elizabeth Cheyenne Hefner, 23, was lodged at the Multnomah County Jail on 14 charges plus a county hold for a previous conviction, police said. Her charges include unlawful use of a vehicle, attempt to elude by vehicle and on foot, escape, several counts of reckless endangering, and criminal mischief. Her bail has been set at $127,500.

According to police, around 4 p.m. June 28, officers spotted a stolen vehicle allegedly being driven by Hefner on Southwest Second Avenue, near Southwest Washington Street in downtown Portland. With the help of additional officers, Hefner's vehicle was boxed in near Southwest Tenth Avenue and West Burnside Street.

While attempting to remove Hefner from the vehicle, which also contained several male passengers, Hefner put the car into gear, police said. An officer discharged pepper spray into the vehicle, police said, but Hefner was still able to ram the vehicle past a patrol car and speed north on Southwest Tenth Avenue.

Twitter user @Kaitlin caught the moment on video, which she then uploaded to Twitter (language warning):

Though police attempted a short pursuit, Hefner's dangerous driving required them to abandon the chase.

Hefner's allegedly stolen car was later found empty in the area of Northwest 26th Avenue and Naito Parkway, police said. A search of the area resulted in the apprehension of Hefner's three male passengers, who were found at a McDonald's on Northwest Yeon Avenue. Hefner was also found nearby, hiding in a dumpster.

The names, ages, and charges of Hefner's passengers will be made available after they're officially booked at the Multnomah County Jail, police said.

Photo Courtesy: Portland Police Bureau