Sheriff: Traffic turns high-speed chase into a slow one

DETROIT, Ore. - A deputy chasing a car that drove off from a gas station without paying stopped the chase after the driver hit speeds of 80 mph, passing cars on a winding Oregon highway and almost hitting oncoming traffic head-on.

But the deputy caught up to the man later in heavy traffic and resumed the chase, this time at slower speeds.

The driver pulled over after a half hour and surrendered.

Norman Hice, 37, was booked into the Marion County Jail and charged with Unlawful Use of a Motor Vehicle, Theft 3, Elude, Reckless Driving, Reckless Endangering, Driving under the Influence, Driving while Suspended, Violation of a Restraining Order and a Parole Violation for Theft charges out of Linn County. 

His bail was set at $80,000, but he is being held without bail on the parole violation, the Marion County Sheriff's Office said.

The incident started around 7:08 p.m. when the driver of a 1999 Cadillac Deville - later identified as Hice - left the Rivers Run Gas & Deli in Detroit without paying for $60 worth of gas.

Sr. Deputy Dave Zahn spotted the car westbound on Highway 22 and tried to pull the car over. Instead, Hice took off at 80 mph, passing cars in curves and nearly hitting oncoming traffic head-on, the sheriff's office said. Zahn terminated the chase because of the risk to other drivers.

A few minutes later, Zahn caught up to the Cadillac, which was stuck in heavy traffic. Hice took a loop road off the highway, then started driving eastbound back toward Detroit Lake. The sheriff's office said Hice drove at a slower speed with the deputy - plus patrol cars from Oregon State Police and the Linn County Sheriff's Office - behind him with their lights on.

Hice pulled over in a gravel area near the dam at Detroit Lake and surrendered. He was taken into custody without further complications - from him.

His ex-girlfriend, who owned the car, showed up at the scene of the traffic stop and momentarily interfered with deputies, the sheriff's office said. She was detained but later released without charges.

The sheriff's office said the woman had a restraining order against Hice - but had gone camping with him in spite of the order.