Stolen pickup, chase ends with arrest of two men

Published 5:00 pm Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Oregon State Police is continuing an investigation into an Ontario-area carjacking and chase that ended with the arrest of two men. Shots were exchanged between Malheur County deputies and the suspects during the incident that ended near a residential area about 6 1/2 miles west of Vale.

OSP saie during the early morning hours of June 24 two suspects stole a vehicle in Malheur County. At approximately 2:09 p.m. the suspects abandoned that vehicle behind the Ontario Les Schwab tire store and confronted an employee arriving to work in a 2000 Chevrolet pickup displaying Idaho license plates. The suspects stole that pickup and as Ontario police and OSP troopers were arriving on scene they fled in the pickup southbound toward Nyssa and then westbound into the Vale area. Speeds were up to 110 mph as the suspects attempted to elude officers.

While attempting to elude officers, the suspects reportedly stopped near Vale and tried to carjack another vehicle but its driver sped away. About this time, at least one of the suspects shot at Malheur County deputies who were outside their vehicle and at least one deputy returned fire. No one was injured.

The suspects then continued fleeing westbound on Highway 20 until they abandoned the pickup approximately 6 1/2 miles west of Vale in a residential area. The two suspects fled on foot but were captured by troopers, deputies and city officers about 150 yards from the pickup at approximately 2:49 p.m.

The suspects are identified as James M. Duvall, 25, and David Joseph Sarbaecher, 37. Both are believed to be transient. Duvall was wanted on a felony escape warrant out of Washington State. In addition to Duvall’s warrant, both men were jailed in the Malheur County Jail on one count of robbery in the first degree. Additional charges are pending.

Investigators are seeking 30-40 who had to take action to avoid the suspects in the stolen pickup as they attempted to elude police. Drivers are asked to call OSP Lt. Richard Pileggi at 541-889-6469, ext. 710.