On Wednesday afternoon, a woman arrived at the Medford BMW dealership to inquire about purchasing a new vehicle at approximately 3:30pm. As staff at the dealership was preparing a test drive for her, she jumped in a 2022 BMW 240 and left the dealership.
As the woman, later identified as 31 year old Stephanie Chavez, left the parking lot, employees attempted to stop her. However, she continued, exiting the dealership onto Hwy. 62, towards Medford.
On this route she passed a Medford Police officer, who began following her, attempting a traffic stop. She then eluded north on Biddle, into Central Point, and then proceeded on to I-5 as several officers tried to stop her with spike strips.
Speeds reached over 100 mph on Interstate 5 before the tires were finally flattened and came to a stop.
She was arrested by the Oregon State Police, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and Rogue River Police Department, without incident and has been charged with Unlawful Use of a Vehicle (Car Theft), Felony Elude and Reckless Driving. She provided an address out of Portland.
