Lincoln City Police arrest Salem man after 100 mph chase

Samantha Hawkins
Statesman Journal
Glenn L. Thompson is being held in Lincoln County Jail

A Salem man has been arrested after a high-speed chase near Lincoln City on Wednesday night that included speeds of 100 mph and the driver heading into oncoming traffic.

Glenn L. Thompson, 30, was arrested shortly before 11 p.m., Lincoln City Police said.

A Lincoln City Police Officer tried to stop a black BMW at about 10:45 p.m. for a traffic violation on Hwy 101, near the cloverleaf interchange on Hwy 18, but the driver sped away. 

A Lincoln County Sheriff Deputy joined in the chase as the BMW drove to North Bank Road and then sped westbound on Hwy 18, cars dodging to get out of the way when the driver turned into oncoming traffic. 

Oregon State Police helped to stop traffic while a Lincoln City Police officer set up a tire deflation system near Neotsu Post Office, and employed it as the BMW drove past, deflating three of its tires.

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"It sends spikes into the tires, which starts slowly deflating them," Sgt. Jefferey Winn of the Lincoln City Police Department said. "It's like having a nail in your tire." 

The device is black, so the driver usually can't see it. 

The BMW was able to continue one to two miles before eventually stopping in front of the TLC Credit Union.

Thompson was taken to Lincoln City Police Department and then Lincoln County Jail on charges of felony elude, reckless driving, reckless endangering and driving on a suspended license.

No one was injured during the chase.