On May 19, 2016 at approximately 1:17am, Lincoln County Sheriff‘s Sergeant Adam Shanks located a suspicious vehicle illegally parked on NW Seafarer Court off of Highway 101 north of Waldport, Oregon. As Sergeant Shanks attempted to contact the occupants, the vehicle fled westbound into the Seafarer Court residential area. Sergeant Shanks pursued the vehicle which drove recklessly through the neighborhood, striking and damaging private property at a residence in the 2700 Block, before coming to a stop in the middle of the roadway. A female passenger exited the vehicle and was detained, however, the driver refused to comply with verbal commands and additional units were dispatched to assist.

The Newport Police Department along with additional Sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene. Negotiation attempts with the driver of the vehicle, identified as 45 year old Depoe Bay resident Sean Michael Rieschel, continued for over an hour without success. On scene deputies and officers attempted to force entry into the vehicle by breaking a rear door window to gain access. Rieschel drove away from the scene and proceeded to drive recklessly in the neighborhood before crashing his vehicle into a large stump on a vacant private lot, disabling it. The driver fled from the vehicle on foot prior to officer arrival. A search of the area for Rieschel was unsuccessful.

At approximately 9:30am, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputy Rick Ballentine located Rieschel in front of the Baymart Store on NW Bayshore Drive and took him into custody. Rieschel was transported to Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital where he was evaluated by health professionals and then lodged at the Lincoln County Jail on one count each of the following charges: Reckless driving, Recklessly endangering another, Fail to perform duties of a driver when property is damaged, Criminal mischief II, Attempt to elude in a vehicle, Attempt to elude on foot, and Interfering with a peace officer. Rieschel’s bail was set at $140,000.