News release from the Newport PD. On May 20, 2014, at approximately 10:10am, a Newport Police Officer responded to a local retailer regarding the theft of lottery tickets. The suspect was captured on video committing the theft, and was last seen driving from the scene in an unknown make gray vehicle. While investigating the complaint, a witness located the suspect and suspect vehicle in North Newport. The information was relayed to a Newport Police Officer and the officer located the vehicle. The officer observed the driver of the suspect vehicle matched the theft suspect captured on video. The Officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop with the suspect vehicle on NW Oceanview Dr. near NW Edenview St. The suspect failed to yield to the officer and the vehicle accelerated away. The vehicle continued southbound on Hwy 101, speeding in and out of traffic and continuing to fail to yield to the officer. The suspect vehicle approached congested traffic on Hwy 101, near NW 12th St. and collided with a southbound vehicle. The suspect vehicle came to a stop and the driver ran from the scene on foot. Officers chased the suspect and took him into custody a short time later near the crash scene. Fire and medical personnel were dispatched to the scene and evaluated the occupants of all vehicles. While the occupants were shaken up, no injuries were identified. The theft and elude suspect was identified as 19-year old Travis Jacob Vickstrom, Salem area transient. Mr. Vickstrom was taken into custody for Theft 3, Attempt to Elude Vehicle, Attempt to Elude on foot, Reckless Driving and Reckless Endangering. He was also arrested on an unrelated outstanding warrant issued out of Marion County for Probation Violation on original charges of Burglary. Mr. Vickstrom’s bail was listed at $132,500.00. The Oregon State Police and Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office responded to investigate the traffic crash. Additional criminal charges are anticipated related to the traffic crash.
