Crawfordsville, Ore. — A man wanted by law enforcement in the Sweet Home area was apprehended on February 14 after a high-speed motorcycle crash in Crawfordsville. Tyler Bruce Lanz, a 37-year-old Sweet Home resident, had been the subject of an ongoing manhunt following multiple felony warrants.
Around 2:30 p.m. on February 14, deputies from the Linn County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) responded to reports of a suspicious person in the 39000 block of Crawfordsville Drive. The individual was believed to be Lanz, who was wanted on outstanding felony warrants, including charges of parole violation, assault, and failure to appear in court.
Earlier in the week, authorities had attempted to arrest Lanz near Holley on February 12 after he fled from officers with the Sweet Home Police Department. However, despite a brief pursuit, Lanz was able to evade capture, prompting law enforcement to intensify their search.
As LCSO deputies and Oregon State Police troopers were establishing a perimeter in the Crawfordsville area, a motorcycle sped past the location at a high rate of speed. The rider, later identified as Lanz, crashed shortly thereafter. According to the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, Lanz sustained what were believed to be non-life-threatening injuries and was quickly transported to Lebanon Hospital for treatment. He was later transferred to Good Samaritan Hospital for further care.
Lanz was accompanied by deputies during his medical transport, and law enforcement officials confirmed that deputies would remain with him until he was medically cleared to be taken into custody. Once he is released from the hospital, Lanz will be lodged in jail to face charges related to his outstanding warrants and additional offenses stemming from the incident.
The pursuit and subsequent crash bring to a close a tense few days of searching for the fugitive. Authorities have yet to confirm any additional charges related to the crash or the events leading up to his capture.
Lanz’s arrest marks a significant development in an ongoing investigation, with law enforcement vowing to continue their work to hold him accountable for his alleged crimes.
