Clackamas-originated pursuit leads to three arrests near Woodstock

The Bee, Oct 3, 2007, Updated Oct 30, 2009

James Alan Ojanen got a big surprise when he called the cops for a lift...!

Photo courtesy Clackamas County Sheriff's Office

At 4:29 am on Friday, September 7, Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Patrol deputies were dispatched to investigate reports of “suspicious vehicle activity” occurring in front of the residence at 6956 S.E. Fir, in Portland. Upon arrival, deputies saw two vehicles -- a passenger vehicle and a van -- departing the area.

Patrol deputies stopped the passenger vehicle, which complied with patrol car’s emergency lights. This passenger vehicle -- stopped at S.E. Lamphier and 80th -- was being driven by 23-year-old Heather Ann Peters, who was arrested during the traffic stop, and lodged in Clackamas County Jail on charges of Identity Theft and Possession of a Controlled Substance — Methamphetamine 1.

The other vehicle — the van — left the area of S.E. Fir, its driver failing to comply with the police emergency lights and initiating a pursuit. The van traveled through portions of Milwaukie, S.E. Industrial Way, S.E. Linwood, and S.E. Flavel at a high rate of speed.

Patrol deputies pursued, but then backed off — citing the increasing speed and their own concern for public safety. However, the vehicle was later located, parked and unoccupied, at S.E. 69th and Carlson near the Woodstock neighborhood, displaying switched license plates. It turned out to have been reported stolen.

Deputies’ investigation then led them to a residence at 6124 S.E. Woodstock Boulevard; they made “knock and talk” contact with the occupants at this address, who consented to a search.

During the search, a man was discovered sleeping in a bed — while armed with a handgun. This subject was disarmed and arrested at the scene, then discovered to be a registered sex offender. This subject was determined NOT to be the driver or passenger of the stolen vehicle of interest — he was merely a convicted felon, sleeping in the wrong place, at the wrong time, armed with a handgun. He was identified as 26-year-old Justin R. Conway, and was taken into custody and was lodged in Multnomah County Jail, charged with probation violation, and “Felon in Possession of a Firearm”.

Moving on with the investigation, Clackamas County Deputies located a cellular phone, displaying a number that the actual suspect driver of the stolen van had called. The phone then rang, and was answered by the Deputy who was holding it at the time.

The caller on the other end of the line (who presumed he was talking with a friend) began bragging on the phone about having just outrun the police in a pursuit — then said he was in desperate need of someone to meet him to provide a ride out of the area, in an effort to avoid capture. The quick-thinking Deputy was very obliging on the phone, and agreed to meet this subject near a park at S.E. 87th and Claybourne in Portland.

Patrol Deputies commandeered a supervisor’s unmarked vehicle, and met the suspect -- who was totally surprised as he presented himself to the armed and uniformed Patrol personnel who emerged from the unmarked vehicle.

This suspect was immediately taken into custody, and identified as 27-year-old James Alan Ojanen. An amazed Ojanen was transported to Clackamas County Jail, where he was lodged and charged with Probation Violation, Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, and Eluding a Police Officer 2.

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