Police Chase Ends In Suspect's Arrest

PORTLAND, OR — A basic traffic stop in Portland on Sunday turned into a police chase that required the help of K9s and an air support helicopter to locate the suspect, according to police.

Following the chase, Michael Wayne Welch, 31, was arrested and taken to Multnomah County Jail. He is charged with attempting to elude police both on foot and in a vehicle, interfering with an officer, and burglary.

Welch, a St. Helens resident, is also being held on warrants out of Columbia and Washington counties, court records show.

Portland officers tried to pull over Welch after they reportedly watched perform an unspecified traffic violation at Southeast 82nd Avenue and Southeast Powell Boulevard just before 12:15 a.m. Oct. 21. Welch, however, chose to flee.

Minutes later officers reportedly found the truck Welch was driving near Southeast 84th Avenue and Southeast Bush Street, by Eastport Plaza. Welch, police presumed, fled on foot.

A perimeter was established around the neighborhood while K9s and a helicopter unit were dispatched to assist with the search.

Welch was eventually found hiding less than a block away in a residential garage in the 8300-block of Southeast Rhone Street, police said. He was reportedly arrested without further incident.

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Image via Portland Police Bureau