On September 17, 2024, Newport Police took a report of a stolen Toyota Yaris from a residence in Newport. During the investigation Harley J. Wescott, 22 of Newport, was identified as the primary suspect. On September 18, 2024, a Newport Police Officer observed the stolen Toyota Yaris driving northbound on Hwy 101 near NW 15th Street. The Officer lost sight of the vehicle and began searching the area, eventually locating the vehicle parked in the Safeway parking lot. As the Officer approached the stolen vehicle, Wescott exited the vehicle and fled into the Safeway store. Wescott eluded the officer on foot by exiting out the business through an emergency exit on the back of the store.
Newport Police, assisted by OSP and the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, converged on the area and began a search for Wescott. During the search, Wescott was observed running towards Sam Case Elementary School. Newport Police worked with school district officials to place the school into a “Code Yellow”. Officers completed an exhaustive search of the area, but did not locate Wescott. Once police determined the area was safe, the “Code Yellow” was lifted and the school returned to normal operations.
On September 22, 2024, Newport Police receive information that Wescott was at a residence on NE 10th Court and may be trying to leave the area. Newport Police, assisted by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, responded to the area and began searching for Wescott. An officer observed Wescott attempting to elude officers on foot and a perimeter was set up in the area of NE 12th and NE Benton Streets. Wescott led officers on a long foot pursuit through the Chambers Court, Frank Wade, and San-Bay-O Circle neighborhoods. Wescott was captured after he was located hiding inside the employee area of the Subway restaurant, which he had accessed by entering through an employee entrance door. Wescott was taken into custody and lodged at the Lincoln County Jail on the following charges:
Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine
Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance
Unlawful Use of a Vehicle
Unlawful Entry into a Motor Vehicle
Theft I
Warrant Arrest
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