Swat Team Joins Search For Fugitive

An Oregon State Police SWAT team joined in an all-out search Tuesday for a fugitive considered armed and dangerous.

As a helicopter and light plane hunted from the air, a tracking dog and armored personnel carrier searched on the ground for Rodney K. Stephens, who is wanted on drug and weapons charges from Crook County.

Crook County Undersheriff Clyde McLain said Stephens ran Tuesday morning when a state trooper pulled over the pickup in which he was riding.

The SWAT team and about two dozen Prineville and Crook County officers searched a two-mile stretch of rangeland, rural subdivisions and homes. Residents were advised to stay inside and lock their doors, and drivers allowed through a road blockade were urged not to stop for strangers.

Authorities said Stephens jumped bail after being indicted on eight charges stemming from a pursuit in February and failing to appear for trial earlier this month on an escape charge.

Stephens is accused of refusing to pull over Feb. 14 for a Crook County sheriff’s deputy, whom he led on a back-road chase before abandoning his car and fleeing on foot.

Stephens was captured and, after a brief struggle, charged with possession of methamphetamine, attempting to elude, assaulting a police officer, illegally possessing a weapon and reckless driving.

A judge issued an arrest warrant for Stephens when he did not appear for his trial Oct. 4.

Stephens also failed to appear for a Dec. 4 trial on other escape and resisting arrest charges.

Stephens has been convicted of drug possession and resisting arrest.