Deputies seeking high speed pursuit suspect

GEORGE — The Grant County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in identifying a suspect who allegedly stole a motorcycle from the Beverly area and led police on a high speed chase on Sunday.

About 10:30 a.m. a deputy noticed the suspect driving the motorcycle, a black Yamaha R1 reportedly stolen from a residence in Beverly, erratically on state Route 281, north of George. The deputy initiated a pursuit, with speeds reaching about 130 mph, according to the sheriff’s office.

The deputy lost visual contact with the motorcycle and later received a tip from a citizen that the motorcycle went into Sunland Estates, which is a small residential and recreational community along the Columbia River south of the Gorge Amphitheatre. Deputies and troopers with the Washington State Patrol sealed off Sunland’s only entrance and exit. The area was searched with the assistance of K-9 unit Chicka.

Neither the suspect nor the motorcycle were located and the search was canceled about 2 p.m. The unidentified driver is described as having a medium build and was reportedly wearing camouflage pants. If you have any information contact the sheriff’s office at 509-762-1160 or email information to crimetips@grantcountywa.gov. Tipsters can remain anonymous.

Richard Byrd can be reached via email at city@columbiabasinherald.com.