High Speed Pursuit Central Coast, Jan. 31

On January 30, 2019 at about 12:35, Lincoln City Police attempted to conduct a traffic stop on black Toyota passenger vehicle, which was traveling southbound on Hwy 101 near N.32nd St. The driver of the vehicle yielded to the officer momentarily but then sped away attempting to elude the officer southbound on Hwy 101. Two LCPD units pursued the vehicle, which continued southbound on Hwy 101, eventually leaving the city. The driver of the suspect vehicle, which was traveling at varying high speeds, lost control of the vehicle, causing it to leave the highway and ending in a roll over crash just south of Immonen Rd. LCPD officers, who were assisted by a Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office K9 unit, eventually removed and detained the male driver and female passenger from the vehicle. Both of the vehicle occupants were checked by medical personnel and neither suffered any significant injury as a result of the roll over crash. During the investigation officers determined the vehicle to be stolen out of Salem, OR. The driver, identified as Keith Allen Schmidtke, (42) of Albany, was taken into custody and charged with Attempt to Elude, Reckless Driving, Reckless Endangering and Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle. Schmidtke was also taken into custody on outstanding arrest warrants issued by Marion County. The passenger, identified as Nicole Summer Connelly, (29) of Keizer, was also taken into custody and charged with Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle. Both Schmidtke and Connelly were lodged at the Lincoln County Jail.