On March 8th, 2017, at approximately 10:40 hours, Toledo Police Officer Matthew McCandless was observing traffic for violations at the intersection of Highway 229 and Highway 20 when he observed a vehicle approaching his location at a high rate of speed. Officer McCandless’ radar indicated the vehicle was traveling 69 mph in a 45 mph safety zone.
Officer McCandless attempted to pull the vehicle over but the vehicle sped up and eluded Officer McCandless as it traveled eastbound on Highway 20. Toledo Public Safety Dispatch notified Officer McCandless the vehicle was reported stolen out of North Bend. Officer McCandless pursued the vehicle as it reached speeds up to 80 mph and he observed the passenger throw items out the window and the vehicle cross over into incoming lane.
The vehicle was finally stopped at approximately milepost 44 after Deputies from the Benton County Sheriff’s Office deployed spiked strips and deflated the tires of the offender’s car. While Officer McCandless and Benton County Sheriff’s Deputies quickly detained the driver and passenger at gun point, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputy Bruce McGuire retrieved the item thrown out the window and determined it was a large amount of methamphetamine.
The driver and passenger were identified as Leif Atkison and Travis Sapp. Benton County Dispatch notified Officer McCandless that Travis Sapp had an active felony warrant for his arrest. A search of the vehicle revealed two handguns readily accessible by the driver and passenger and fully loaded. Credit cards not belonging to Leif Atkison and Travis Sapp were found in their possession. Upon further investigation, it was revealed that one of the guns and credit cards were reported missing from a burglary in North Bend.
Leif Atkison was charged with Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle, Attempt to Elude Police Officer (vehicle), Reckless Driving, Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and Burglary. Travis Sapp was arrested for his outstanding warrants (Theft II and Fail to Appear II). Travis Sapp was charged with Unauthorized Use of Motor Vehicle and Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine. Travis Sapp and Leif Atkison were both lodged at the Lincoln County Jail.
The Toledo Police Department would like to thank the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Benton County Sheriff’s Office, and Benton County Dispatch Center for their assistance in this matter. If you have any information pertaining to this case please call Officer Matthew McCandless at 541-336-5555 and reference case number T20170120.
Information provided by Toledo Police. Photos by LCSO
