Three Arrested After Pursuit and Search in Josephine County

Sheriff’s K-9 assists deputies in locating suspects with felony warrants

JOSEPHINE COUNTY, Ore. — Three people were arrested Friday after Josephine County Sheriff’s deputies located two suspects who had previously eluded law enforcement during multiple incidents, officials said.

According to the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office, deputies first attempted a traffic stop near the O’Brien area on March 12. The vehicle allegedly failed to stop and began eluding deputies. The driver was identified as 39-year-old James Patterson, with 29-year-old Breanna Vineyard as a passenger. Authorities said both individuals had active felony warrants.

During the pursuit, the vehicle turned onto a Forest Service road where Vineyard reportedly fled on foot into the woods. Patterson continued driving into a rural wooded area before also fleeing on foot. Oregon State Police assisted with air patrol while Sheriff’s Office K-9 Yana was deployed, but Patterson was not located at that time.

On March 17, deputies again attempted a traffic stop involving Patterson as the driver and Vineyard as the passenger. Officials said Patterson again eluded deputies, driving at a high rate of speed on Highway 199. The pursuit was terminated after the vehicle entered California and conditions became dangerous in the Smith River Canyon.

Authorities later received information on March 20 about the suspects’ location. Deputies, along with Parole and Probation officers and K-9 Yana, established a perimeter and issued commands for the suspects to surrender.

At approximately 11:38 a.m., Patterson and Vineyard complied and were taken into custody without incident. Deputies also located 54-year-old Aaron Geiger at the scene and took him into custody.

All three were lodged at the Josephine County Jail on outstanding warrants, along with multiple new charges related to the previous incidents, officials said.

Cover: AI generated image.

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