Four-Hour Search Ends With Arrest of Two Suspects

Larry Pilgram - Monte Whiteley Photo:Marion County Sheriff's Dept.

(SALEM, Oregon) - A 40-year-old Oregon City man was arrested this afternoon following a four-hour foot-chase and a search of the forested area near Lyons.

Monte Whiteley and a friend were driving on Highway 22 near Wagner Road when Sr. Deputy Dave Zahn of the Marion County Sheriff's Office tried to stop their maroon 1990 Jeep Cherokee. The front windshield of the car was shattered, making visibility nearly impossible.

Instead of stopping for the deputy, Whiteley tried to get away by driving east on Wagner Road and then turning onto Wagner Lane. The road eventually turned to gravel, so Whiteley abandoned the car and ran into the bushes. He dropped a back pack as he ran. The passenger was identified as a 56-year-old Aumsville resident, Larry Pilgram. He remained in the car and was detained by Zahn.

Over the next four hours, Whiteley eluded deputies in the thick brush and forest land. A total of ten Marion County deputies and two from nearby Linn County were called in to seal off the area. Once the area was contained, deputies used two canines and reports from residents in the area to narrow their search for Whiteley.

At one point during the search, Whiteley sent a text message to a friend telling him to call in a false bomb threat at Lyons school to distract deputies from their search. The text message indicated Whiteley was cold and wet.

At approximately 3:00pm, deputies received word from a resident that a man matching the description of Whiteley was spotted in the 22000 block of North Fork Road, about 3-4 miles from the original scene. Deputy Jeff Stutrud's canine, Renzo, began tracking Whiteley and located him nearby. He surrendered without incident; four hours after Zahn originally tried to stop him. He was cold and wet from the rain and 41 degree temperatures, so he was taken to Santiam Hospital where he was treated for exposure before being booked at the Marion County Jail.

It was learned that Whiteley's driver's license was suspended and that he had an outstanding warrant for criminal trespass from Clackamas County. He will face additional charges of Attempt to Elude and will be cited for driving while suspended.

Pilgram was taken into custody for a violation of his parole & probation conditions and booked at Marion County Jail. He was originally placed on supervision for firearm and drug convictions.

Deputies credited many residents in the area who assisted us by calling in their observations of Whiteley. This partnership resulted in the capture of Whiteley with no one being injured and the community remaining safe.

Source: Marion Co. Sheriff's Office