WALLOWA – A 40-year-old man was arrested Sunday after a short police chase ended with a vehicle crashing into a building in Wallowa.
The Wallowa County Sheriff’s Office said a deputy attempted to pull over a Honda Civic on Highway 82 near Lostine after recognizing it as a vehicle reported stolen the day before.
The driver did not stop, leading to a brief pursuit. The deputy terminated the chase out of safety concerns for bystanders as they approached Wallowa. The Honda continued into town where it struck a building on Storie Street, just off the highway.
The driver, identified as Troy Eldon Baker, fled on foot but was captured a short time later. After being evaluated at a local hospital, Baker was taken to the Union County Jail.
Baker faces felony charges of attempting to elude police and possession of a stolen vehicle, as well as misdemeanor charges of unlawful entry into a motor vehicle and reckless driving, according to court records. Sheriff’s officials said he also faces a charge of possession of a restricted weapon.
Baker remained in the Union County Jail as of Monday afternoon, ahead of a scheduled afternoon arraignment.