A sex offender wanted by police is behind bars after leading police on a chase that ended in a crash early Sunday, Jan. 27.
Michael Duane Zook, 26, whose last known address was in Gresham in the 3200 bock of Northeast 181st Avenue, is being held on $35,000 bail at the Multnomah County Inverness Jail on allegations of attempt to elude police by vehicle, methamphetamine possession, reckless driving and reckless endangerment, violating his parole or probation on an unspecified offense, as well as on warrants for felony and misdemeanor failure to register as a sex offender.
At 12:03 a.m., Portland police tried to pull over a 1995 Toyota Tercel at Southeast 111th Avenue and Harold Street on a traffic infraction, said Sgt. Pete Simpson, Portland Police spokesman.
The driver sped away from police heading southbound on 111th Avenue. At Foster Road police used a maneuver to spin the Toyota, but the driver regained control of the car and sped away eastbound on Foster Road. At Southeast 162nd Avenue, the driver turned southbound towards Happy Valley. The suspect then turned off all of the car's lights as he continued southbound on 162nd Avenue. At Southeast Vrandenburg Road, the suspect made a right turn but lost control of the vehicle and crashed, landing on the car's side.
Officers arrived and immediately called for paramedics to respond and treat the driver, as well as his and passenger.
Zook was treated for minor injuries at a Portland hospital and booked into jail on various charges. His passenger, a 25-year-old woman, also was treated for minor injuries at the scene and released.