Brief stolen car chase ends in arrest of Portland teens after crash

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Two Portland teenagers are in custody after a police chase that led to the crash of a stolen car early Thursday morning.

Deputies in Cornelius spotted the stolen dark-colored sedan driving the wrong way on Pacific Avenue near Filbert Street and matched its description to a car that was stolen in Forest Grove.

The teens, 15 and 17, were seen “attempting to enter vehicles” near 900 37th Avenue at the time the car had been stolen, according to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

When deputies tried to stop the car on the side of the road, it sped away and caused a crash at the median near 2836 Pacific Avenue. 

“The collision caused the driver to lose control, resulting in the vehicle spinning out and coming to a halt near Maple Street,” officials said.

However, the teens were not inside the car when authorities arrived. After searching the area, deputies found “a stolen 2019 Lexus RX sport utility vehicle with the teenagers asleep inside."

“Deputies pinned the Lexus in with patrol cars to prevent the Lexus from being driven away and, after a brief standoff, safely detained both occupants,” the sheriff’s office said. Both were eventually taken to the Donald E. Long Juvenile Detention Home.

Inside the Lexus, deputies found a loaded handgun and “various items belonging to yet-unidentified victims.” 

Anyone with more information about this incident is encouraged to contact Forest Grove police.

Stay with KOIN 6 as this story develops.