CCSO release – On February 11th 2022 a Coos County Sheriff’s Deputy responded to the entrance at Riley Ranch in Hauser to investigate a suspicious vehicle possibly casing the area. During the contact the Deputy attempted to obtain the VIN to the vehicle as it did not have any license plates. At this time, a man later identified as 32 year old Spencer A. Dill from Portland and a female fled from Deputies in a pick-up truck north bound on U.S. Hwy 101 at a high rate of speed. The Deputy, not knowing if the truck was stolen or what other crimes may have just been committed, began pursuing the black pick-up northbound. After a short time in pursuit the Deputy advised the suspect vehicle was driving into the on-coming lane of travel repeatedly and was being extremely reckless. For these reasons the deputy deactivated his lights and siren and followed at a distance. The deputy continued to update his location and the Coos County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center was able to get ahold of Florence Police Department who advised they possessed stop sticks. The pursuit was re-engaged with lights and siren just prior to mile marker 191 on U.S. 101 and the suspected vehicle failed to stop again. At this time Officers from the Florence Police Department successfully deployed tack strips flattening tires on the suspect vehicle. The suspect vehicle continued to drive for about 4 miles at about 25 miles per hour until all rubber was removed from the vehicle tires. On U.S. Hwy 101 at Sutton Lake, just North of Florence the driver, Mr. Dill fed from the vehicle on foot into the brush while a minor female (earlier reported as a runaway) passenger was immediately taken into custody. Perimeter was immediately set around the Sutton Lake area and a criminal apprehension K-9 was requested. As the pursuit began in Coos County, the Coos County Sheriff’s Office K9 – Cena had been monitoring radio traffic and at the time of the pursuits end was only approximately 10 miles away. K-9 Cena responded to the location and after a two-hour track through, woods, water, mud, Sutton Lake, brush, houses and side streets the suspect, Spencer A. Dill was arrested by a Florence Police Officer on perimeter with K9 Cena hot on his heals. Mr. Dill was ultimately taken into custody near the intersection of Sea Lion Drive and Otter Way in Florence. Mr. Dill had several outstanding warrants for his arrest with cautions of being assaultive towards law enforcement. At the conclusion of the investigation, it was found Mr. Dill had changed clothes from hiding in the mud and brush near Sutton Lake while attempting to evade capture from the K9. He was found wearing a L.A. Dodgers T-Shirt and blue pajama pants. If you live in the area and are missing these clothes, please contact the Florence Police Department or the Coos County Sheriff’s Office so they can investigate these additional crimes. The Coos County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the many law enforcement officers for their assistance brining a peaceful resolution to this case. The Sheriff’s Office would also like to thank the citizens of Coos, Douglas and Lane Counties for your patience and understanding as this incident was resolved. Mr. Dill was charged with the following crimes, however more are expected: Elude by Vehicle, Elude by Foot, Resisting Arrest, Burglary I, Reckless Driving, Several Warrants.
