Texas Man Arrested In Cornelius After Car Chase Through Hillsboro

HILLSBORO, OR — A Texas man was arrested in Cornelius early Friday after police say he stole a car, robbed two Hillsboro businesses, then led Washington County deputies on a chase — all in one night.

Verlon Bryant Thompson, 53, was taken to Washington County Jail and charged with reckless driving and reckless endangering, unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle, and two charges of attempt to elude police (both on foot and in a car). His bail is set at $1,000.

The overnight activities began when a Washington County Sheriff's deputy spotted a red 1997 Chevrolet Camaro pulling out of business near Southeast Walnut Street and Southeast 10th Avenue in Hillsboro around 3 a.m. April 6.

Believing the vehicle's egress suspicious, the deputy checked the business and found signs of a forced entry through a door.

Roughly 20 minutes later, another deputy reportedly saw the same Camaro leaving a different business several blocks away at Southwest Baseline Street and Southwest 17th Avenue. Finding burglary tools at the business, the deputy called in for help pursuing the Camaro.

As more deputies converged, a traffic stop was attempted but the Camaro fled toward Cornelius.

With more deputies serving the city of Cornelius joining in the chase, attempts were made to stop the Camaro using a pursuit intervention technique (PIT) — but it was able to continue on.

Eventually, the Camaro went through a ditch just past a dead-end street before jumping railroad tracks and crashing.

The driver, identified as Thompson, attempted to flee on foot after the crash, but deputies quickly caught up and arrested him. Thompson's unidentified passenger was uninjured.

After Thompson's arrest, investigators learned the car was also stolen earlier that night.

As the investigation into the burglaries continues, more charges will likely be added, sheriff's officials said.

Images via Washington County Sheriff's Office