MAN CAUGHT ON DRUGS AFTER ALLEGED ELUDING INCIDENT THURSDAY – KQEN News Radio

May 27, 2024 7:20 a.m.

A Roseburg man was jailed on drug and other charges after an alleged escape incident Thursday.

A report from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office states that shortly after 11:45 a.m., a sedan passed a deputy on Highway 99 in Dillard. The officer observed a traffic violation and when he stopped behind the vehicle, it allegedly immediately accelerated to a high speed.

The sedan turned right onto Fourth Street as the deputy still tried to catch up. The deputy said the vehicle was going about 70 miles per hour and it was very obvious the driver was trying to escape. The deputy eventually caught up with the sedan as it turned onto Fifth Street from Reason Avenue. When the deputy activated his lights and siren, the vehicle pulled into a driveway on Fifth Street.

The driver, later identified as John Bedford, 57, allegedly jumped out of the sedan and took off running into the yard. Eventually, Bedford was found hiding in an RV by a Winston Police Department officer and K9 Nike. Bedford was taken into custody without incident.

During a search of the vehicle, a significant quantity of methamphetamine was allegedly found in plain view. A search warrant for the vehicle was executed and granted. A search of the sedan allegedly revealed three-quarters of a pound of methamphetamine, an illegal quantity of mushrooms, digital scales and other drug paraphernalia.

Bedford was charged with attempting to elude a police officer on foot, unlawful distribution and possession of methamphetamine, reckless driving and parole violation. Bail was set at $350,000.