Hermiston police troll for motorcycle rider who ditched chase

HERMISTON — The Hermiston Police Department took to Facebook to call out its suspect in a Monday morning motorcycle chase.

The pursuit began around 9:45 a.m. when an officer tried stopping a blue Honda Goldwing because the registration expired in 2016. The officer turned on his police car’s overhead lights, according to a statement from Hermiston police Lt. Randy Studebaker, and the motorcyclists led police on a ride that “went out into the county and all over the south side of town.”

Speeds through some city streets reached 55 mph, and out on Westland Road the top speed was about 80 mph. Studebaker said traffic was light, and police constantly evaluate the conditions of a chase.

The rider ditched the bike around 10 a.m. on the 1300 block of Southeast Ninth Street near East Evelyn Avenue and fled on foot. Police impounded the Honda but did not catch the rider.

Studebaker around 12:30 p.m. took to Facebook to report officers have a good idea who was hightailing it on the Honda: Corey Timothy Gray, 40 of Heppner.

Studebaker explained police suspect Gray because officer found his identification in a wallet on the motorcycle “along with a small amount of what we suspect to be controlled substance,” and the rider left the motorcycle near the home of someone police think is one of Gray’s associates. Plenty of officers also saw the rider and bike.

“The cyclist’s helmet did not cover his whole face,” Studebaker stated in the post addressed to Gray, “and we feel he bore a striking resemblance to you. … Weird, huh?”

Studebaker invited Gray to come on into the police station to talk about the case. Studebaker also stated he attached a jail mug shot of Gray “so there’s no doubt who I’m trying to reach.”

Gray has not checked in with his probation officer, according to Studebaker, and Hermiston police would be happy to help him with that as well.

The Facebook approach might seem silly, but Studebaker said the last time he tried this tactic, it work.