Stolen U-Haul Arrest, Jan. 29

Oregon State Police (OSP) is continuing the investigation into Sunday afternoons incident in the Salem area that resulted in the arrest of a man for multiple crimes. On January 27, 2019 at about 4:02 pm OSP dispatch was notified of a driving complaint on Interstate 5 Northbound in the Albany area.  The reporting party advised of a U-Haul van that was operating in a reckless manner.  An OSP trooper located the U-Haul and attempted to make an enforcement contact.  The operator of the U-Haul would not stop and continued northbound.  Due to heavy traffic, the OSP trooper discontinued attempting to stop the U-Haul and requested OSP personnel in Salem attempt to locate it.  A short time later, it was determined that the U-Haul was reported as a stolen vehicle. At about 4:20 pm, OSP troopers from the Salem area located the U-Haul and observed it to still be driving in a reckless manner northbound on Interstate 5.  OSP troopers monitored the U-Haul as it continued northbound and exited at Market Street. OSP troopers followed the U-Haul to the Fred Meyers fuel station located at Market and Lancaster in Salem.  Troopers attempted to block the U-Haul, however were unsuccessful.  The U-Haul pulled out onto Market St and collided with another motorist and commercial motor vehicle.  The U-Haul temporarily became wedged between the two vehicles. An OSP trooper attempted to block the vehicle from the rear. The operator U-Haul rammed the OSP patrol vehicle and the other vehicles.  The U-Haul sustained extensive front end damage and returned to Interstate 5, traveling northbound.  OSP Troopers pursued the U-Haul.  Near milepost 257.7, the U-Haul pulled to the side of the freeway and stopped. A male suspect was taken into custody without incident.  OSP troopers are still attempting to identify the male.  The suspects name will be released once it is confirmed by troopers. The suspect was lodged at the Marion County Jail for the following crimes: Unauthorized use of a motor vehicle; Unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle; Possession of a stolen vehicle; Fail to yield to an emergency vehicle; Fail to obey police officer; Attempted Assault on a police officer; Fail to perform duties of a driver; Mail Theft; Reckless Driving; Reckless Endangering; Attempt to Elude – Vehicle; Other pending charges may be referred to the Marion County District Attorney’s Office. Troopers learned that the U-Haul van was stolen from the Seattle area earlier in the day while it was being used to deliver Amazon packages. It was confirmed that the back of the U-Haul was filled with mail parcels from Amazon.  Anyone in the Seattle area that is missing or did not received their scheduled delivery from Amazon should call the Oregon State Police Dispatch Center at 1-503-375-3555 and reference OSP Case Number SP19-032026. No injuries were reported to the motoring public, law enforcement or suspect. Salem Police Department is investigating the crash between the U-Haul and the OSP Patrol vehicle. ****The suspect in the stolen U-Haul has been identified as Jose FLORES, age 38, last known address is from Medford, Oregon.****