MALIN, Ore — A Malin Police Department officer is recognizing two teenagers for helping him track down a wanted suspect that later turned into a carjacking last Tuesday.
Officer Thomas Hoy told NBC5, that he initiated a traffic stop on a car that was swerving around 3:30 on December 2nd. Hoy said he learned the suspect, 37-year-old Secundino Rayas-Huaracha out of Merrill, had a FTA warrant.
“He just started acting really nervous, glancing around, I can tell he was looking for a place to run,” said Hoy.
During the initial arrest, Rayas-Huaracha allegedly struck Hoy in the face and was able to escape on foot. Hoy briefly chased Rayas-Huaracha before retreating to his police car.
Teenagers, Conner and Zack, witnessed the encounter and helped keep an eye on the suspect. Hoy said they alerted him that Rayas-Huaracha got into a white Jeep – that was later determined to have a nanny and two young children inside.
Hoy caught up to the car several miles outside of Malin and was able to arrest him. The nanny and two children were not hurt in the incident.
The suspect is facing a laundry list of charges including three counts of recklessly endangering, and assault on a public safety officer.
Hoy says most bystanders would not go out of their way to help an officer in that situation. He said he’s grateful to Conner and Zack for making a potentially life-saving move. He plans to honor Conner and Zack at the next city council meeting.
UPDATE: A previous version of this article included details from police about other potential charges and crimes. The Klamath Co. District Attorney’s Office tells NBC5 News via email that it chose not to proceed with kidnapping charges because the Deputy DA on the case, “…did not feel we met the burden of being able to prove that charge beyond a reasonable doubt”.
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