PENDLETON, OR (KPTV) -
A near week-long investigation led by Oregon State Police troopers from the Pendleton and Hermiston offices led to an arrest of a suspect sought in connection with two vehicles stolen from dealerships in Wyoming and Hermiston, OR.
Johnny Lee Redding, 23, was arrested Monday night by OSP troopers and Pendleton police in the 200 block of SW 28th Drive in Pendleton.
His charges include unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, felony attempt to elude, reckless driving and criminal mischief.
On May 2, an OSP trooper tried to stop a 2011 Ford F150 pickup heading westbound on Interstate 84 near milepost 202 for a traffic violation.
The pickup sped away and the trooper eventually lost sight of it after the lights turned off when it drove into a field.
The pickup was found later abandoned about a quarter mile west of Highway 395 near Feedville Road.
A quick check showed that was taken from a car dealership in Rock Springs, WY.
The dealership was contacted and was actually unaware it had been taken from their lot.
OSP also learned the Stanfield Police Department recovered a stolen Ford F150 pickup that was taken following a test drive from a Hermiston area Ford dealership.
Redding was identified as a suspect in both of these cases.
A 2011 Chevrolet Impala with no license plates was also located near where Redding was arrested.
It is not yet known whether it was stolen.
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