On December 29, 2023, at 1:49 p.m., Sgt. A. Slater observed a spray-painted black motorcycle with a male occupant driving poorly near Kruse Ave and Hwy 101 on the south side of Coos Bay. Sgt. Slater moved behind the vehicle and continued to observe poor driving behavior, including bad passes, no turn signals, and noticed the motorcycle did not have a visible license plate. Sgt. Slater attempted to conduct a traffic stop of the motorcycle, and the operator, later identified as Michael D. Farnham (44) of Coos Bay, failed to stop. A short vehicle pursuit resulted, crossing the Isthmus Slough bridge into Eastside and reaching speeds of 60 mph. While attempting a turn at the intersection of 6th Street and D Ave in Eastside, Mr. Farnham crashed and slid off the roadway onto the sidewalk before impacting a brick wall. An inspection of the motorcycle revealed it had previously been stolen out of Coos Bay. The motorcycle had been spray-painted black, and Mr. Farnham had attempted to remove the vehicle identification number by grinding. Mr. Farnham was transported to Bay Area Hospital for evaluation and, upon release, will be transported to the Coos County Jail on the charges of Driving while Suspended Misdemeanor, Elude by Vehicle, Reckless Driving, Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, and Probation Violation.

WHEN: Dec 29, 2023 at 01:49 PM
WHERE: Kruse Ave and Hwy 101, Coos Bay
SUSPECT: Michael Daniel Farnham