Police Chase Ends With One of Salem's Most Wanted Behind Bars

Two female passengers, age 30 and 24, were not lodged in jail.

33-year old Alberto Contreras of Keizer. Photo Courtesy: Marion County Sheriff's Office

(SALEM, Ore. ) - Oregon State Police, with the assistance of Salem Police Department and Marion County Sheriff's Office, arrested a 33-year old man Thursday night who was listed as one of SPD's most wanted following an attempt to elude.

At approximately 11:37 p.m. Thursday night, an OSP trooper witnessed traffic violations by the driver of a Chrysler 3000 displaying Oregon license plates and attempted to stop the vehicle southbound on Interstate 5 near milepost 262.

The vehicle initially slowed and pulled toward the shoulder before accelerating away at a high rate of speed.

With the OSP patrol car's emergency lights and siren activated, the vehicle took the Salem Parkway exit and continued driving recklessly while attempting to elude on several area streets.

The vehicle traveled east of Interstate 5, south on Cordon Road and then went into a dead-end on Shores Street NE near Ocean Avenue NE where OSP, SPD and MCSO detained the male driver and two female passengers without further incident at approximately 11:50 p.m.

When officers approached an open passenger door, they saw suspected methamphetamine spilled inside the vehicle's front and rear passenger areas along with other evidence.

The vehicle's driver, Alberto Contreras, from Keizer, was arrested and lodged in the Marion County Jail on the following charges:

Fail to Appear - Bench Warrant for Delivery of Methamphetamine (Marion County warrant)
Fail to Appear - Bench Warrant for Weapons Charge (US Marshals warrant)
Felony Attempt to Elude in a Vehicle
Reckless Driving
Recklessly Endangering Another Person (2 counts)
Unlawful Possession and Delivery of a Controlled Substance - Methamphetamine

The two female passengers, age 30 and 24, were not lodged in jail. Their names were not released.

Source: Oregon State Police