PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - A man wanted for allegedly striking a Portland police officer while driving a stolen pickup on Dec. 24 and later escaping custody has been apprehended in Southeast Portland.
David Dahlen, 24, had been on the run nearly a week. He escaped a holding cell on the Portland Police Bureau’s detective floor in the downtown Multnomah County Justice Center and exited through a stairwell on Saturday.
Portland police said members of the U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force found him inside a car at Lents Park early Friday and tried to block the car, but the driver was able to pull away. Police say Portland officers put down spike strips, deflating its tires.
Dahlen was arrested after the driver lost control and hit a retaining wall and power pole, Police said.
Portland Police Chief Chuck Lovell said in a statement Friday that he was grateful to all the agencies for capturing Dahlen.
“It’s clear that this individual has no regard for the safety of the public and will put others in danger in an effort to escape,” Lovell said.
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