Around 0100 hours on the morning of December 12th, 2019 the Roseburg Police Department investigated a reported burglary at the 420 Club, 2576 NE Stephens in Roseburg. During that investigation they learned several suspects gained entry into the business by damaging a window, gaining entry, and stealing merchandise from inside. Officers were able to identify a description of a vehicle of interest in that incident, and they provided that information to local law enforcement agencies. Just before 0500 hours an off duty Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Deputy found the vehicle traveling on NE Stephens, and reported the information to on-duty Officers. Officers located the vehicle traveling north in the 2600 block of NE Stephens. The vehicle, a red Volkswagen beetle, then suddenly accelerated away from Officers, continuing northbound on Stephens. Speeds reached between 65-80 MPH, and Officers backed off because they were approaching a construction area north of Costco on Stephens. The suspect vehicle pulled further away at that time, but quickly tried turning east on Taft, losing control and striking a utility pole. Several occupants fled from the vehicle. One suspect, a 16 year old male, was tackled by law enforcement as he was trying to flee the scene on foot. The other people who fled were not located. K9 Nike from Roseburg PD attempted to track the other suspects, but they were not located. The 16 year old male was found in possession of merchandise stolen from the 420 Club, and he was later lodged at the Juvenile Detention Center for Burglary, Theft and Criminal Mischief charges. The vehicle sustained heavy damage during impact with the utility pole, and it was towed from the scene by Roseburg Towing. There is no evidence at this time that anyone was injured during the collision. The construction zone was also not active at the time of the incident. The investigation into the driver of the vehicle and other suspects involved in the burglary is still ongoing.
