LCSO: Deputies stop stolen car with spike strip, driver flees on bike
EUGENE, Ore. -- A high speed police chase through west Eugene on Saturday morning ended with a woman trying to evade officers on a bicycle near Junction City, the Lane County Sheriff's Office said.
Officials said that police stopped the stolen car she was driving with a spike strip deployed on River Road.
At around 9:40 a.m. Saturday officers in west Eugene received a report that a vehicle reported stolen earlier that morning was parked in a shopping center near Royal Avenue.
Officials said that the driver then took off, leading police on a chase down Highway 99. Officers called off the chase after a short time because of dangerous driving conditions.
Sergeant Matt Keetle with LCSO said that officers relocated the driver on River Road a short time later.
"We used a technique we call tactical vehicle intervention, she spun out and stopped for a moment. Then she rammed into a couple of our patrol cars and took off again," said Sgt. Keetle.
Officials reported that Junction City Police deployed a spike strip and stopped the speeding car near the intersection of Love Lake and River Roads.
Police at the scene said that the driver, later identified as Heather Smith, 36, abandoned the vehicle and ran from officers.
Sgt. Keetle said that Smith found a nearby bicycle and tried to escape pursuing officers, who eventually caught up with her.
Deputies booked Smith at the Lane County Jail on multiple charges, including possession of burglary tools, four counts of hit-and-run, eluding police and reckless endangering another.
Officials at the jail confirmed that Smith was released nearly 6 hours after her booking, pointing to limited jail space that prohibited them from lodging her long-term. Smith still faces the listed charges.
KVAL reporters talked to Emilie Oaks at the scene, the owner of the car.
She said that her car was parked in her driveway at 5:30 a.m. Saturday. When the Oaks left the house at around 7:30 a.m., she said that her car was gone.
"It was below empty when she stole it, so I don't know how she made it here," said Oaks, looking at her damaged car. "She obviously has more money than I do."
This is a developing story. This story will be updated as information becomes available.
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and btw she has been released
 @Robbie Hugill-Smith Only because there isn't room for her in the jail.
thats my mom and i would aprshate if there were no rude comments
 @Robbie Hugill-Smith And? Everyone is someone's family. We'd appreciate if she didn't 1) steal cars, 2) steal god knows what else, 3) go racing through streets trying to escape police, unconcerned for the safety of everyone around her, 4) smash into vehicles paid for by taxpayers.
One of the common traits for female meth users are the overplucked eyebrows....
Since she's your mom...can you give us some insight?
Just a quick glance at her mugshot and I can accurately deduct that this isn't the first bad decision she's made in her life. Those are some heavy bags she's a tote'n (baggage....get it?)
I've had bad things happen to me in life but I never stole a car and put the public in danger so it's hard to get behind the other comments on how tough her life is. I CALL BULL S HIT TO THE HIGHEST LEVAL !!
"Tactical Intervention", more political correctness garbage.  Back in the day we called it wrecking them, which is exactly what it is. The biggest difference is that we usuall got a car in front, and two to the rear if possible. They usually did not get away then.
@souptonuts ---sounds just like that show with Mathew Broderick of the Highway Patrol. Our American traffic police have an over generous amount of patience and bravery. Other countries traffic police either just let the car go for fear of crashing into innocent bystanders OR put a bullet through the crazy drivers windshield. Maybe I am confusing the mob with the police in some countries where it is hard to tell the difference.
She might very well end up released before trial, but she most likely _will_ be spending some quality time in the State prisons after her trial, with 4 hit-and-runs.
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I'm not sure most commentators really understand how our system works, and which parts of government handle which types of cases, or which part of the process people are now free for.
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I can't imagine a single one of the cynics that post on here doing any better at governance, but I can sure imagine most of you doing a lot worse.
 @SkinnersGhost Except that the DA's office has stopped even prosecuting a lot of cases, since they're apparently "underfunded" too. Were I to guess I'd say they will prosecute her, but it doesn't seem guaranteed.Â
@SkinnersGhost ---as a former member of one of the largest govt. organizations, I always remember people saying that there is the right way, the wrong way, and the Army's way.
Most things seemed so counter-intuitive, until things eventually made sense, with more background experience and a grasp of the bigger picture.Â
@daaarsh ---seems like the bigger picture, is that Lane county has not budgeted enough to hold people in jail.
 @SkinnersGhost I disagree with you, and agree with the other commentators. How dare you tell us we could 'do worse'..you must be one of Eugene's 'finest' elected ...the justice system in Eugene and Lane county is shameful. Â
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This woman will probably be out on the streets again very soon...
 @Fennforests  @SkinnersGhost You right too. I know this woman. She'll be out alright. She's no criminal. That's for sure. She's using this as a cry for help. I tell you the truth. AGAIN, SHE IS NO CRIMINAL, the State took her kids and she has nearly lost her mind. Being a drug addict is worse than going to prison.
 @MrKjC1010 She likely does need treatment, but that's doesn't mean she shouldn't be brought to justice as well.Â
 @MrKjC1010 She quite obviously is a criminal. There's no even a question about that.
@Fennforests @daaarsh ---if what the above says is true about her having 4 hit 'n' runs, how could I not agree with you? The system has taken away her kids? Because, she is an addict? Some jail time should be SOP for the detox if not for the crime. Is Lane that broke for funding? Maybe she just ran out of meds like that guy who threatened to blow up the hospital last month. He too was released the same day people say. I think I am becoming more and more agoraphobic in a town where I usually got out all the time.
 @daaarsh  All the evidence is in on the lame state of LE in Lame County..they let people out of jail..just about anyone...   Â
@MrKjC1010 @Fennforests @SkinnersGhost ---was it the Dali (L)Lama who walked into PIPELINE pizza and said, "make me one with everything"?. NOOO! I think he said, "our goal in life is to help people, and if we can't do that, then at least don't hurt them"Â
@MrKjC1010 @Fennforests @SkinnersGhost ---always nice to have a little background info, before casting judgement on the authorities or the criminal.
 @Fennforests  @SkinnersGhost SHE NEEDS TREATMENT AND LOTS OF LOVE.
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NO MORE NEGATIVE SENTIMENT TALK IN EUGENE.
IT'S TOO GOOD FOR THAT.
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DALI LLAMA IS COMING HERE SOON.
PEACE.
Why bother? You can't punish them in any way.
She will be out of jail by sundown tonight. No room for the baddies, which means we who follow the law get the increase of theft and end up the victims.
Slap her hands then turn her loose. That's what it's coming too. I'm sorry, I'm not buying the money shortage to fund the jail. We go thru this episode every couple years. Here's my take.....of all the funded county operations take 10% and give it to the jail or sheriff department. Why is it that the sheriff or jail only get hit? To get more money out of you. I say bring in a outside auditor and audit all county operations and see if there is other places to get money. Everyone has to live within their means. Some of us have to cut back on things we deem necessary. Did the county need to expand or remodel the building near Delta highway? Why not use that money to fund the jail? Lane County needs to quit hitting using the same source to milk you out of your money and try something different.
the woman was taken to lane county jail for a warm shower, coffee and donuts and released after being told " be warm and fed"
Makes no sense at all. She would spend less time in custody than she spent trying to get away.  WHY would someone avoid arrest in Eugene???? The stupid never cease to make events more difficult for themselves.
@flor3nc3 ---from reading her background she has a vendetta mind set. Taking away her children because of drugs must have driven her over the edge. I think she wants to spend a lot of time scrapping with authority figures, especially when she knows she won't get any jail time. Get her a punching bag. In fact, get me a punching bag for the DMV auditing me every time I must leave the country and can't respond to their survey. Messn' with my license is bad enough. i can't imagine them messn' with my children...with my beer habit. Â