Peaceful Ending to Armed Standoff Following Pursuit

Douglas Co. Sheriff's Office - 11/18/18 

ROSEBURG, Ore. - 
A man is in custody in the Douglas County Jail following a vehicle pursuit which resulted in an armed stand-off in the Green District Saturday. 


At 11:07, dispatchers were notified that a Ford pickup had left Hartwood Resources at a high rate of speed followed by a citizen who recognized the vehicle as stolen.


Deputies later located the vehicle on Glengary Loop Road and a pursuit ensued. A Winston police officer was able to successfully deflate the tires on the pickup using spike strips. The driver continued to drive with deflated tires through the intersection of Roberts Creek Road and Highway 99, running a red light. The pursuit ended at the north end of Carnes Road near the bike path when the driver crashed into the concrete barriers at the dead end. 


The driver, identified as 54 year-old Timothy John Rourke of Roseburg, was observed to have a shotgun in his hands. Rourke refused to comply with deputies orders and continued to place the firearm to his head. 


The Sheriff's Office Crisis Negotiations Team (CNT) and Tactical Response Team (TRT) were dispatched to the scene. Negotiators were able to talk Rourke into peacefully surrendering at 4:00 pm. 


Rourke was taken into custody and lodged at the Douglas County Jail on the following charges: 

  • Possession of a Stolen Vehicle
  • Unlawful Use of a Motor Vehicle
  • Reckless Driving
  • Felon in Possession of a Firearm
  • Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine
  • Attempt to Elude Police - Vehicle
  • Attempted Assault on a Public Safety Officer
  • Assault II
  • Warrants (Josephine County)
  • Failure to Perform the Duties of a Driver
Winston Police Department, Oregon State Police and Roseburg Police Departments provided assistance. 

No additional details are available at this time.

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