Suspects on The Run Rescued by Police

Linn County Sheriff Search and Rescue Team Photo By: Tim King

(Sweet Home) - Deputies and members of the Linn County Sheriff's Search and Rescue Team located a lost woman in the Willamette National Forest near Upper Calapooia Rd, east of Sweet Home late Saturday. 21-year old Kimberly Jean Sloat, of Lebanon, was rescued by Search and Rescue personnel after spending two nights in heavy forested terrain near Canyon Creek.

Linn County Sheriff Tim Mueller says their prediciment occurred under unusual circumstances, "She became stranded with 36-year old David Howard Hayes of Albany when the stolen vehicle they were traveling in crashed on Forest Service road 2026." He says the crash happened around 11:00 AM Thursday, leaving them in a difficult position. "Sloat and Hayes attempted to walk for help, but Sloat`s feet became wet and cold in 2 ½ foot deep snow and was not able to continue."

Sheriff Mueller says Hayes left Sloat behind and continued seeking help. He was picked up by Deputy Denis Zuhlke on Saturday March 4th at about 2:00 PM. Deputy Zuhlke was on forest patrol near Canyon Creek Road, outside of Cascadia when he encountered Hayes walking down the road. Hayes provided information directing search teams toward Sloat's location. The Sheriff's Office utilized ground crews and ARGO all-terrain vehicles to locate Sloat, who was transported to Lebanon Community Hospital for a medical evaluation, and later released. Sloat was arrested and lodged at the Linn County Jail for Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle, a Linn County Circuit Court Warrant for Fail To Appear on an unrelated Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle, a Lebanon Municipal Court Warrant for Contempt of Court, and Robbery I and Assault III relating to a case being investigated by the Albany Police Department. She is currently held on $67,000.00 bail. Hayes was arrested and lodged in the Linn County Jail for Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle. He later posted bail and was released.