The Salem Police Department is actively searching for a suspect in an attempted murder incident which occurred on January 7, 2016. Richard Jay Wheeler, 52-years-old, is currently being sought by Salem Police detectives on two charges of Attempted Murder and two charges of Unlawful Use of a Weapon. Wheeler was involved in a disturbance over domestic issues and fired a firearm at the victims in the case. Both victims are known to Wheeler, and neither was injured in the incident. He fled the scene and was later located by a Salem Police officer, but he crashed his vehicle in an attempt to elude the officer, and was able to escape on foot. Richard Wheeler is a white male adult, 6′ 01″ tall, approximately 180 lbs with brown hair, brown eyes and a goatee style beard. He may be driving a blue Nissan or Toyota pickup truck with a matching canopy. He should be considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached. Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of Wheeler is asked to call the Salem Police Department at 503-588-6123. If he is spotted, please call 911. Wheeler has also been added to the Salem Police Top Ten Most Wanted list which can be accessed at www.cityofsalem.net/TopTen.
