Car Thief Blocking I-5 Slow Lane with Vehicle Arrested by OSP
A man blocking the slow lane of Interstate 5 near milepost 65 southbound with a stolen vehicle was apprehended by Oregon State Police.
Troopers responded Sunday around 12:11 p.m. to the hazard silver Dodge Caravan after reports of the vehicle being stopped on the roadway. The driver of the Dodge had walked away and left the vehicle unattended.
The license plate was obtained and returned as having been stolen out of Douglas County. Troopers were soon able to contact the driver, identifying him as Timothy Vernon. His driving privileges were revoked at the misdemeanor level.
Vernon admitted to taking the Dodge from his mother early that morning. Troopers were then advised that the Douglas County Sheriff's Office was investigating a theft of $800 from Vernon's mother, and that he was the alleged suspect.
The Sheriff's Office requested any cash found on Vernon's person or in the vehicle be seized as evidence. Troopers took Vernon into custody, and he complained of pain before being checked by medical personnel at the hospital.
He was subsequently transported and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, and Driving While Suspended.
Posted on 3/30/26 10:45AM by Alex Bauer
