MARION/CLACKAMAS COUNTIES, Ore. 7 May 2024 – A domestic violence suspect led Oregon State troopers on a high-speed pursuit through Marion and Clackamas counties yesterday.
On Monday, May 6, 2024, at approximately 11:50 a.m., troopers from the Salem Patrol Office were investigating a domestic assault that occurred the previous evening on Hwy. 214 near Silver Falls State Park. Troopers located the suspect’s vehicle on 72nd Avenue near Joseph Street SE east of Salem.
The vehicle eluded troopers and ultimately fled northbound on Interstate 5 from the Salem area at speeds over 115 mph. Troopers and Salem Police Department officers pursued the vehicle until it became stuck in a field off NE Eilers Road south of Wilsonville.
The suspect, Matthew James Rodgers (33) of McMinnville, refused to get out of the vehicle and was armed with a hatchet. After negotiations with Rodgers were unsuccessful, a chemical irritant was deployed into the vehicle by the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office. Rodgers then exited the vehicle and was taken into custody.
Rodgers was charged with burglary, attempt to elude police, reckless driving, reckless endangering, criminal mischief, assault IV (domestic), strangulation, harassment (domestic), coercion (domestic), and unlawful use of a weapon.
Oregon State Police was assisted by the Salem Police Department, Woodburn Police Department, Canby Police Department, and the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office.
The investigation is on-going and additional information is not available for release at this time.
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About the Oregon State Police
Oregon State Police (OSP) is a multi-disciplined organization that is charged with protecting the people, wildlife, and natural resources in Oregon. OSP enforces traffic laws on the state’s roadways, investigates and solves crime, conducts postmortem examinations and forensic analysis, and provides background checks, and law enforcement data. The agency regulates gaming and enforces fish, wildlife, and natural resource laws. OSP is comprised of more than 1,400 staff members – including troopers, investigators, and professional staff – who provide a full range of policing and public safety services to Oregon and other law enforcement agencies throughout Oregon.
