PORTLAND, Ore. – An attempted murder suspect was arrested after leading police on a chase through Southeast Portland and Gresham late Saturday morning.
The pursuit began at around 10:45 a.m. when Portland police officers in the area of Southeast 163rd Avenue and Division Street spotted a gray Dodge Charger they knew was associated with 31-year-old Dustin Melbourne, who they say is a suspect in an attempted murder case.
Officers tried to pull Melbourne over but he sped away, according to Sgt. Pete Simpson with Portland police.
A pursuit began that included spike strips and PIT maneuvers but Melbourne was able to elude capture. During the chase, Simpson said Melbourne damaged public and private property, and some fencing near North Powellhurst School on Southeast 135th Avenue.
Melbourne eventually crashed in the area of East Burnside Street and 181st Avenue. He then ran from the car and was taken into custody in the 18400 block of Northeast Couch Street.
Melbourne was booked into the Multnomah County Jail on nearly two dozen charges. Simpson said Melbourne is believed to be connected to a recent Southeast Portland shooting but didn’t specify which one.
The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office and Gresham police assisted in the pursuit and arrest of Melbourne.