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Michael J. Testerman was escorted to an awaiting patrol vehicle by Columbia County Deputy Blake Ahlers after officers pursued the man through several back yards of homes along South 1st Street last Wednesday, September 7. Testerman was wanted for questioning following a number of car prowls reported that morning, was located but allegedly attempted to elude officers on foot until being apprehended.
DAYTON–A 26-year-old Dayton man is in jail after leading Columbia County Sheriff's Office deputies on a circuitous chase through residential back yards Wednesday, September 7. The incident's proximity to the Dayton Schools campus prompted school officials to implement a "soft lockdown" while the subject was at large.
Michael J. Testerman, 36539 HWY 12, Dayton, was taken into custody by deputies who had been pursuing him on foot, eventually cornering him in an old barn in the vicinity of 300 South 1st Street.
Two vehicle prowls had been reported that morning, according to Columbia County Sheriff's Office information. A witness allegedly observed an individual, said to be matching Testerman's physical description and clothing, remove an item from a Nissan, owned by Wyatt R. Johnson and parked at 108 N. Pine Street, at about 10:45 a.m. Later that day, Aeryelle I. Gleason reported discovering that a pair of sunglasses valued at $250 had been taken from her 2017 GMC parked at Dayton High School, at about 12:47 p.m., and her vehicle appeared to have been rifled through.
With police in pursuit of a suspect close to the school campus, Interim Superintendent Rich Stewart initiated a "soft lockdown" of Dayton School facilities. "In other words, all the exterior doors are locked and we continued to conduct our business and be in readiness," Stewart told the Chronicle. Stewart was aware the chase was in a direction away from the campus. He said the lockdown was double checked, school directors were notified and then a message was sent through communication channels to parents, advising them of the situation's resolution.
"The sheriff [Joe Helm] did come in and say everything was good," Stewart said, "and the lockdown was called off."
Testerman is being held in Columbia County Jail under seven charges: third-degree theft from a motor vehicle; second-degree vehicle prowl with theft; obstructing a law enforcement officer; second-degree criminal trespass; first-degree trespass; unlawful possession of other's identification; and use of drug paraphernalia.
Following interviews with the car-prowl victims, Deputy Blake Ahlers matched the physical description he received with a Department of Licensing photo of Testerman.
At 12:08 p.m., Deputy Rick Ferguson spotted the suspect, who was reportedly running with a backpack through several back yards in a S. 2nd Street neighborhood. Testerman allegedly dropped the backpack at 413 S. 2nd, which was recovered by Deputy Ferguson.
Deputies patrolled the neighborhood for about 25 minutes before Deputy Ahlers located the suspect running westbound on 1st Street. Ahlers followed Testerman, who entered an old barn, the police report indicated, who was no longer wearing a previously described shirt, apprehending him at 12:38 p.m. A Washington State Patrol trooper assisted in transporting Testerman to the county jail.
Items described as missing from Johnson's and Gleason's vehicles were alleged to be in the back pack discarded by Testerman, allegedly with drug paraphernalia and a person's state ID card.
Deputy Conahan conducted follow-up interviews with residents who were alleged victims of trespassing by the suspect.
On September 4, a vehicle prowl was reported at 148 E. Main Street and deputies suspect Testerman is allegedly involved.
