Alleged Car Thief Arrested, Charged With Attempted Murder: Police

PORTLAND, OR — Three law enforcement agencies on Saturday chased and arrested a transient who authorities say was involved in a recent shooting in Southeast Portland.

Dustin Clifford Dean Melbourne, 31, was taken to Multnomah County Jail on nearly 30 charges, including attempted murder, animal abuse, robbery, reckless driving, and fleeing a police officer. His bail is set at $574,000, though several of his charges do not allow for bail anyway.

According to police, Portland officers saw Melbourne in a Dodge Charger near Southeast 162nd Avenue and Southeast Division Street around 10:45 a.m. May 6. When officers tried to pull him over, however, Melbourne reportedly fled, initiating a police pursuit.

Officers tried unsuccessfully to use their vehicles and spike strips to stop Melbourne several times, but he managed to evade every attempt.

According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by Patch, Melbourne is accused of veering into oncoming traffic no fewer than five times during the chase, in the process damaging public and private property — including another citizen's car and some fencing near North Powellhurst School on Southeast 135th Avenue, police said.

Melbourne's run came to an end after he crashed his allegedly stolen car near Northeast 181st Avenue and East Burnside Street, roughly 2 miles away from where the chase began.

Melbourne tried to flee on foot, but was quickly apprehended in the 18400-block of Northeast Couch Street, police said.

In Oregon, Melbourne has a 14-year criminal history rife with felony charges, including burglary, harassment, identity theft, and at least four other failed attempts to elude police in Multnomah and Clackamas counties.

Image via Portland Police Bureau