On August 12th, 2023, at 11:05 p.m., the Coos County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center received A report from a firefighter of Burglary and substantial damage that had been done at the Millington Fire Department in Coos Bay, was received by the Coos County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center Saturday evening, August 12th, sent Deputies to the fire station late Saturday night just after 11:00pm.
The firefighter reported that while the firefighters were in Curry County assisting with the fire evacuation efforts, the Millington Fire Department had been burglarized and vandalized.
First responding deputies observed that several windows had been broken out, both bays had been flooded, and there were several thousand dollars of apparent damage to the firehouse and property. Surveillance footage recovered from the Firehall showed the suspect as a woman with blond hair operating a black wagon-style vehicle as Deputies learned the Coos Bay Police Department was also investigating a similar incident involving Bay Cities Ambulance Headquarters. Video surveillance in the Coos Bay incident also showed the same back wagon-style vehicle.
Shortly after Deputies arrived at the Millington Firehall, the Oregon State Police received a driving complaint of a black Audi wagon in the area on U.S. Hwy 101 just south of Millington. The 2007 Black Audi A4 reported to the Oregon State Police had the Oregon license plate that matched the description of a car involved in criminal mischief the night before belonging to a Chelsea Praus.
Coos County Sheriff’s Deputies attempted to locate the 2007 Black Audi A4 and Chelsea Praus, and while traveling East on Highway 42, the Deputy observed a car in a driveway with its reverse lights activated and decided to investigate further. The Deputy pulled onto the property and noticed the gate at the property had been rammed and severely damaged.
The Deputy then drove up the long driveway to the residence locating Ms. Praus and her black Audi next to the garage. Ms. Praus was out of the vehicle and throwing items from her car. Upon seeing the Deputy, Ms. Praus got in her car, put it in reverse, and rammed the front of the Deputy’s patrol vehicle, which contained not only the Deputy, but also a civilian “ride along” passenger.
The Deputy exited his vehicle, drew his weapon and gave verbal orders to Ms. Praus that she was under arrest, to put the car in park and show her hands. A second Deputy arrived, and both Deputies attempted to place Ms. Praus into custody by pulling her through her partially open driver-side window. Ms. Praus was able to get her arm free and quickly accelerated forward behind the residence on the lawn.
Deputies ran back to their respective vehicles to take cover and give chase if needed. Having no place to go, Ms. Praus stopped in the backyard and put the car in reverse and rammed his patrol vehicle again. Ms. Praus pulled forward, stopped, and rammed the patrol vehicle in reverse an additional time. Ms. Praus eventually got around Deputy’s vehicle, and a vehicle chase ensued.
Deputies pursued Ms. Praus at speeds up to 85 miles per hour eastbound on Hwy 42. During the chase, Ms. Praus attempted to strike an Oregon State Police Trooper and a Coquille Ambulance head-on as well as also trying to side-swipe Deputy Francis.
At the Junction of U.S. Hwy 101 and U.S. Hwy 42, Ms. Praus attempted to take the off-ramp onto U.S. Hwy 101. Deputies attempted to get in front of Ms. Praus and block her in, however, Ms. Praus evaded being pinned in and continued to flee from police in her vehicle northbound on U.S. Hwy 101.
Coos Bay Police successfully placed stop sticks on U.S. Hwy 101 completely deflating several of Ms. Praus’ vehicle tires. The vehicle stopped shortly after near that location before Praus exited her car, now wearing only underwear, and began running easily across U.S.Hwy 101 towards the train tracks.
Deputies gave chase on foot and were able to catch and take Ms. Praus into custody without further incident.
Ms. Praus was arrested and transported to the Coos County Jail on multiple charges including Burglary in the First Degree, Criminal Mischief in the Frist Degree, Unlawful entry into a motor vehicle x2, Attempted Assault 1st Degree x5, Attempted Assault on a Public Safety Officer x5, Recklessly Endangering Another Person x8, Reckless Driving, Fleeing or attempting to elude police officer-felony, Fleeing or attempting to elude police officer-misdemeanor, Resisting Arrestx2, and Offensive Littering. Ms. Praus remains in custody.
