Hwy. 101 & Epping Ln., CCSO report – On February 22, 2019, at about 2:32 AM, a Deputy with the Coos County Sheriff’s Office observed a white in color Ford Van with no visible plates traveling south bound. The Deputy observed the van swerve sharply back and forth in it’s lane of travel. Based upon his observations, the deputy stopped the vehicle at Epping Lane. During the course of the stop, Officer Orrin Wallace and his K9 partner Sophie responded to the scene. Sophie is a narcotics detection K9. Officer Wallace introduced Sophie to the vehicle, causing the K9 to obtain a positive alert for narcotics. Meanwhile, the passenger, identified as 37 year old Rene Sears had exited the vehicle. When Sears was confronted, drug paraphernalia was observed on his person, in plain sight. When Sears was told he was under arrest, he tried to run. Sears was struck with a Taser round, but was able to get up and run again. A foot pursuit ensued which led onto Highway 101. Sears was ultimately placed into custody after he continued to fight. During the course of the altercation an officer was injured. Sears claimed to have swallowed heroin at some point prior to the stop and was transported to Bay Area Hospital. Suspected methamphetamine was located on Sears’ person. Sears was arrested and transported to the Coos County Jail where he was booked, alleging the crimes of Assault on a Public Safety Officer, Escape III, Interfering with a Peace Officer, Resisting Arrest and Tampering with Physical Evidence. The injured officer was treated for his injuries and is recovering. The Coos County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Coquille Police Department and the Coos Bay Police Department.
