In the early morning hours of December 18, a Hillsboro patrol officer located a stolen vehicle in an apartment complex at 951 SE 13th Ave. in Hillsboro. As the officer was walking up to check on the car, the officer discovered it was occupied by a driver, later identified as 28-year old Travis Johnson. According to the Hillsboro Police Department, Johnson backed the vehicle up and struck the officer’s patrol car in an effort to escape.
Johnson’s attempt to run over the officer began a pursuit resulting in the Hillsboro Police Department deploying spike strips and using a PIT-Police Intervention Technique. After the stolen vehicle was stopped, Johnson ran from the scene into dense and thorny blackberry bushes in the area of NE Brookwood & NE Veterans Dr. Hillsboro officers pursued Johnson on foot into the bushes and were injured as a result.
Hillsboro Police K-9 captured Johnson a short time later. He is now lodged at the Washington County Jail on multiple charges, including unlawful use of a motor vehicle, theft, attempted assault, reckless driving, DUII and criminal mischief.
Photo Courtesy: Hillsboro Police Department
