PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Just 11 days after being convicted and sentenced in a burglary case, a 20-year-old man is back in jail accused of leading police on a high-speed chase.
John Patrick Lynch is charged with one count each of being a felon in possession of a firearm, unauthorized use of a vehicle, possession of a stolen vehicle, and reckless driving. He is also charged with two counts of fleeing police.
Police say their investigation started on Monday when a patrol officer got a “LoJack” alert to a nearby vehicle that had been reported stolen. The vehicle was located in the area of Southwest Harrison and Southwest 4th. The officer attempted to stop the vehicle but the driver, identified as Lynch, refused to stop, according to court documents.
Speeds in the pursuit reached about 80 miles per hour, according to police.
While Lynch was behind the wheel, the 2010 Chevy Silverado skidded along Southwest Barbur Blvd. near Southwest Hamilton and hit the wall.
Eventually, Lynch lost control of the pickup and the truck crashed down an embankment. 3 people inside the vehicle, including Lynch, fled on foot but were all detained.
Lynch told police he got into the pickup around 4 a.m. after meeting up with the two other people. The group met to smoke pot and drive around.
Lynch eventually confessed to driving the vehicle and told police he found it unlocked and when he rummaged through it, found the keys in the center console.
When the vehicle was stolen, there was a shotgun inside, according to court documents. Lynch admitted he was aware of the gun and showed it to the two other people he was riding around with.
On April 15, Lynch was convicted of second-degree burglary for an incident that in Northeast Portland involving the vandalism to food carts in the Parkrose neighborhood. He was sentenced to community service and 18 months of probation.
Lynch is scheduled to be back in court on May 4.