High Speed Chase Leads To Arrest

On December 11^th, just before noon, Newport Police Officers received information from Law enforcement of a red truck that was suspected to be involved in a burglary from the Waldport area.  Officers were provided surveillance photos detailing the vehicle description.  

While searching the Newport area for the truck, a Newport Police officer observed a red truck matching the description parked in the parking lot of 150 NE 20^th ST, at Fred Meyer. 

While waiting for assistance from other Officers, the Newport police officer exited his car to contact the driver of the truck, giving him orders to remain in the vehicle.  The driver, who was later identified as 32-year old Tyler Mullen, did not comply and began to leave in the truck, driving over a curb as he fled the area, traveling out of the parking lot and then northbound on Highway 101.        

The Officer returned to his patrol car and attempted to stop Mullen with his lights and sirens however he refused to stop and continued driving northbound on Hwy 101 at a high rate of speed.  At Highway 101 and NW 25^th ST intersection, Mullen clipped a vehicle in the turn lane causing minor damage causing no injuries to the vehicle’s driver. After hitting the car he continued driving northbound at a high rate of speed. 

Officers continued to pursue Mullen on the highway and were able to contact partnering agencies ahead of the pursuit to setup tire spike strips.  He drove over the spike strips causing damage to multiple tires on the truck. He continued through Depoe Bay north to near SE 51 ST in Lincoln City where he lost traction and the truck would not travel any further.  Mullen then exited the truck and attempted to flee on foot where he was ultimately restrained by construction workers at the scene. He was placed under arrest and refused to identify himself.

Mullen was transported to the Lincoln County Jail, where he was fingerprinted, revealing his identity along with providing a photograph of him. This revealed he had active warrants for his arrest for a probation violation out of the Oregon State Parole Board. Mullen no faces additional charges of felony attempt to elude, reckless driving, and recklesss endangering to name a few. The Newport Police Department thanked the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Lincoln City Police Department and the Oregon State Police for their assistance during this incident, which remains under investigation.