Stolen Car Pursuit and Arrests Leaves Two Police Cars Damaged

The suspects arrested may be connected to a rash of commercial burglaries in Milwaukie.

Milwakie, Oregon commercial burglary and stolen car suspects Kevin Michael Lasiter and Robert Lee Wingfield

(MILWAUKIE, Ore.) - Police say a fleeing van tried to ram police vehicles during a chase in Milwaukie early this morning, and actually caused minor damage to one of the vehicles after striking it.

Another police vehicle's tires were damaged after running over spike strips, which were placed in an attempt to stop the pursuit, according to Officer Kevin Krebs, a Spokesman for Milwaukie Police.

He says the chase began at 1:10 AM when a Milwaukie Police officer attempted to stop a vehicle for a minor traffic infraction on SE McLoughlin and SE Washington.

"The driver of the vehicle refused to stop for the officer and a brief pursuit was initiated," Krebs said.

"The pursued vehicle, a Ford van which was later determined to be stolen, crashed into VW Jetta in the 2900 block of SE Tacoma, ending the pursuit. The driver of the stolen vehicle and a passenger fled on foot but were quickly apprehended by officers."

The driver of the VW Jetta, a 20-year old Portland man, was treated at the scene after the crash. He was the only person hurt and it meant the termination of the chase. "The only injury really was the individual was was he had a couple of cuts." Krebs added that it was fortunate the man was not significantly hurt.

Krebs says officers seized a small amount of methamphetamine from the stolen vehicle, along with items commonly used to commit burglaries.

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Police arrested the driver of the vehicle, 48-year old Kevin Michael Lasiter of Portland. He was charged with Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, Felony and Misdemeanor Attempt to Elude, Felony and Misdemeanor Hit and Run, 3rd degree assault, 2 counts of 1st degree Criminal Mischief, 2 counts of 2nd degree Criminal Mischief, Reckless Driving, Reckless Endangering and Possession of a Controlled Substance. Lasiter is being held at the Clackamas County jail under $100,000 bail and has a preliminary hearing scheduled for November 30th, Krebs said.

Another person was in the stolen van according to police. That was 39-year old Robert Lee Wingfield of Portland. He was being held on a Multnomah County parole detainer and is currently lodged at the Clackamas County jail without bail. "Both suspects have extensive criminal histories," Krebs added. They both have histories of pursuit, that is common for both of them, they have been involved in many crimes."

Krebs told Salem-News the van had just been stolen. "We believe they had just stolen the car that night, it wasn't even reported yet. We believe they were in the process of committing commercial burglaries."

Krebs says there has been a rash of commercial burglaries in Milwaukie in recent weeks.

"I think they prolific, this is what these guys are about. Wingfield is on parole for this stuff, he's being held on no bail. Obviously they aren't learning."

He says they will now be watching crime patterns in hopes of having removed two of the area's most frequent commercial burglars.