Salem Police arrested an Oregon State Hospital escapee Friday after he carjacked a vehicle, eluded officers, rammed a patrol car, assaulted an officer, resisted a police canine and was finally subdued after a taser was deployed.

Michael Sands, age 27, used force against a staff member to flee from the Oregon State Hospital on July 11, 2008 at approximately 1:30 a.m. and was tracked by Salem police for a couple miles west toward the downtown area.

At approximately 7:35 a.m. on July 11, Salem Police received a report of a carjacking from a victim at Wallace Marine Park. Salem Police Officer John Manitsas spotted the stolen car as it came across the Center St bridge into downtown Salem and attempted to stop the vehicle. The suspect attempted to elude officers as he drove east on Center St NE, north on Liberty St NE, west on Division St NE then north on Commercial St NE where the suspect suddenly stopped the vehicle then rammed Officer Manitsas' patrol vehicle.

The ramming of the police vehicle caused the stolen vehicle driven by the suspect to flip onto its top, at which time the suspect got out and attempted to flee on foot. Officer Manitsas began to chase the suspect on foot when the suspect suddenly stopped and charged at Officer Manitsas. The suspect was very aggressive as he resisted Officer Manitsas and attempted to take his Taser and firearm away. 

As other officers arrived on scene, a canine was deployed but the suspect continued to resist. The suspect was threatening to assault the canine and was beginning to attempt to assault the canine when a taser was deployed and officers were able to take the suspect into custody. The suspect was later positively identified as Sands. Officer Manitsas sustained a sprained ankle during the incident and was transported to Salem Hospital where he was treated and released.

Sands was also transported to the hospital where he was treated for bites he received in the leg from the canine. Sands will be charged with Robbery in the Second Degree, Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, Attempting to Elude A Police Officer, two counts of Criminal Mischief in the First Degree, Assaulting a Public Safety Officer and Interfering with a Police Animal. These charges stem from the incidents beginning with the stolen vehicle. 

Sands was also arrested on a warrant charging Escape in the Second Degree. He has a history of violence and an extensive criminal history including an assault of a police officer in Curry County and a February 2008 carjacking and attempt to elude in Clackamas County.