NAME RELEASED AND TIMELINE OF EVENTS-OREGON STATE POLICE ALERTING THE PUBLIC OF AN ARMED AND DANGEROUS SUSPECT LAST SEEN IN SE OREGON

Oregon State Police

The suspect in a multi-state crime spree has been identified as Jamie Lee Cochran (42). He has spent time in West Virginia and Utah but is currently transient. After consultation with partner agencies the following is believed to be the timeline of events:

On Sunday, September 11, 2022, Mr. Cochran is believed to have burglarized a daycare in Salt Lake City, UT, where he stole a van that was driven through the fence of the daycare. The stolen van was later located in Elko, NV.

On Tuesday, September 13, 2022, Mr. Cochran is then believed to have stolen a quad that was driven to a residence where a home invasion robbery was committed. An orange 2001 Dodge Dakota pickup was stolen during the home invasion robbery from the residence in Elko, NV.

On the morning of Wednesday, September 14, 2022, deputies with the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office (NV) attempted to stop the 2001 orange Dodge Dakota pickup. The vehicle began attempting to elude the deputies while deputies pursued the vehicle towards Oregon. Oregon authorities were notified of the pursuit headed into Oregon.

Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies (OR) and Oregon State Troopers responded on Highway 140 towards Nevada. A Lake County Sheriff’s Deputy and an Oregon State Trooper located the vehicle on Highway 140, just east of Adel, OR. The vehicle immediately began eluding officers and drove off road on to private farm fields. Deputies and Troopers lost sight of the vehicle a short time later.

Additional Troopers were called into the area to assist the Lake County Sheriff’s Office with the search for Mr. Cochran, who had not been identified at that point. The ground search was assisted by an Oregon State Police airplane, a helicopter and airplane from the California Highway Patrol, and a helicopter from the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office (NV). The ground search involved over 50 officers from multiple jurisdictions.

Officers were unable to locate the stolen orange Dakota, or Mr. Cochran.

On Thursday, September 15, 2022, at approximately 12:15 PM, Jamie Lee Cochran was taken into custody in the Fremont National Forest, in the Warner Mountains east of Lakeview, OR. Mr. Cochran was taken into custody by an Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Sergeant, a U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement Officer, and a Bureau of Land Management Law Enforcement Ranger. The stolen Dodge Dakota pickup was found in the McDowell Creek area, west of Plush, OR. Mr. Cochran was taken into custody approximately 6 miles from where his truck was located and was armed with a stolen handgun when arrested. 

The Oregon State Police was assisted in the investigation by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office (OR), the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office (NV), the Elko County Sheriff’s Office (NV), the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office (NV), the Salt Lake City Police Department, the California Highway Patrol, US Forest Law Enforcement, Bureau of Land Management Law Enforcement Rangers, and Bureau of Indian Affairs Law Enforcement.

Cochran was lodged in the Lake County Jail on outstanding warrants from Elko, NV. Additional charges of Elude-Felony, Unauthorized Use of Motor Vehicle and Theft 1 (possession of stolen firearm) are pending.

No further information will be released.