CHILOQUIN, Ore. — A Klamath County Sheriff's deputy and state troopers arrested a "career criminal" near Chiloquin following a brief car chase, according to a statement from the Sheriff's Office. The stop stemmed from a new contract signed between the law enforcement agency and the City of Chiloquin.
The Sheriff's Office said that its deputy was working under the recently signed enhanced services contract with Chiloquin when he tried to perform a traffic stop near E Blocklinger Street and S Park Avenue on Monday.
"The driver of the vehicle attempted to elude, which began a pursuit assisted by troopers from Oregon State Police through the Chiloquin area," the agency said.
The pursuit ended on Modoc Point Road when the driver of the vehicle and two passengers jumped out and tried to run away. Two of the three fugitives were soon arrested.
Authorities identified the driver as 41-year-old Donald Lloyd Campagna Jr. He was charged with Reckless Driving, Reckless Endangering, felony Attempt to Elude, misdemeanor Attempt to Elude, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Kidnapping II, Menacing, Possession of Methamphetamine, and a warrant from the state parole board.
“This is exactly what we had in mind when the City of Chiloquin and I began discussing enhanced services a couple years ago," said Sheriff Chris Kaber. "In this instance an expanded patrol led to the capture of a career criminal with outstanding warrants.”
Campagna has convictions in Oregon that go back to the late 1990s, including for both sexual and violent crimes.
A female passenger taken into custody by the officers, Christina Marie Waterbury, was cited for possession of a concealed weapon. Another passenger, a man, got away and was not identified. The Sheriff's Office said that he is "not expected to be an ongoing threat."