LCSO release – *UPDATE* Suspect that rammed deputy’s patrol car identified and taken into custody. Investigators from the Lane County Sheriff’s Office and Eugene Police Department have been working together to identify the suspect that caused injury to a deputy last week by ramming his patrol car. Last week a Lane County Sheriff’s deputy attempted to stop a vehicle in the Elmira area for traffic violations at which time the vehicle fled at a high rate of speed. At one point the vehicle accelerated into the direction of the deputy’s patrol car, causing a crash. The impact disabled the patrol car and caused an injury to the deputy’s shoulder. The suspect sped away and abandoned his vehicle at an apartment complex in Eugene a short time later. Deputies and Eugene police officers worked many leads and were able to identify the suspect as 28 year old Dakota Dale Stover of Eugene. Stover had arrest warrants out of the Eugene Police Department and Oregon State Parole Board at the time he fled the deputy. Additionally, his driver’s license was suspended at a criminal level. Investigators located Stover on Wednesday afternoon in the area of W. 8th Ave. and Lawrence St. in Eugene. He fled when officers attempted to contact him, but he was quickly found hiding in a nearby garage. Stover had kicked down a door and made entry into a residential garage while attempting to hide from officers. Stover is currently lodged at the Lane County Jail on charges related to the initial pursuit incident and new crimes committed on the day he was taken into custody. Charges include but are not limited to: Assault on a Public Safety Officer, Elude by Vehicle, Hit and Run, Reckless Endangering, Criminal Mischief, burglary and Unlawful Use of a Weapon. This case is just one example of the partnership between the Lane County Sheriff’s Office and Eugene Police Department. Investigators from both agencies came together to identify this suspect and take him into custody.
