HPD Writes Humorous Post Appealing to a Wanted Suspect

The Hermiston Police Department’s Facebook page has a humorous post regarding the pursuit of a motorcycle rider who apparently may be in some trouble with the law.

The incident began around 9:45 a.m. on Monday when officers attempted to pull over a motorcyclist for having an expired tag. However, according to Lt. Randy Studebaker’s post, the suspect took off and led police on a pursuit that lasted quite a while and ended when the suspect ditched the bike and fled on foot.

In his post on the HPD Facebook page, Studebaker had some fun in a personal appeal to the suspect, identified as Corey Timothy Gray.

Here, in its entirety, is Studebaker’s post:

Dear Mr. Corey Timothy Gray,

This morning, at about 9:45 a.m., our day shift officers were involved in a pursuit with the motorcycle in the attached photo. The officer tried stopping the motorcycle because the registration expired in 2016. When he turned on his lights, a pursuit began that went out into the county and all over the south side of town.

Ultimately, the motorcycle was ditched in the 1300 block of SE 9th Street. The operator of the motorcycle fled on foot and was not located. The motorcycle was impounded.

We were assisted during the incident by the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office, the Stanfield Police Department, and the Oregon State Police.

We suspect you were the operator of that motorcycle for the following reasons:

1. Your identification was found in a wallet on the motorcycle, along with a small amount of what we suspect to be controlled substance.
2. The motorcycle was ditched near the home of somebody we believe to be one of your associates.
3. At various points the chase passed marked police vehicles, unmarked police vehicles, and off duty police officers who were not involved in the chase. Some of these encounters were at slow enough speeds for the officers to get a good look at the motorcyclist. The cyclist’s helmet did not cover his whole face, and we feel he bore a striking resemblance to you.

Weird, huh?

There are various other leads we’re pursuing in this investigation. We can go into more detail about that when you come in to the police station. I’m choosing not to address them in this little note because we don’t yet know what, if anything, will come of those leads.

I’ve attached your photo to this post so there’s no doubt who I’m trying to reach. Our records indicate that prior to this incident, you allegedly failed to check in with your probation officer. We are happy to help you with that issue as well.

Please give us a call or stop by the police department at your earliest convenience. Any of our officers would be happy to assist you.

Sincerely,

Lieutenant Randy Studebaker