Douglas County Manhunt Ends After Handcuffed Suspect Escapes and Hides in Woods
DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. — A transient, who had established a camp in the woods at Long’s Ranch near Melqua Road, has been arrested on an active warrant for third-degree sex abuse by deputies from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.
He Avoided Arrest for Nearly 10 Hours
The arrest took place nearly 10 hours after Robert Emilio Macias (28) escaped from a deputy who uncovered his encampment in the woods.
- March 11, 10 a.m. : deputy finds Macias camp near Melqua Road
- Moments later : Macias is cuffed, escapes, search begins
- Evening : deputies alert nearby residents within four miles
- 7:50 p.m. : Macias found on Hubbard Creek Road
- Later : jailed on warrant and new charges
He was located at 7.50 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11, in the 6400 block of Hubbard Creek Road, nearly three miles from the initial location.
During his initial arrest, Macias was handcuffed by a deputy, but managed to push past him and flee on foot down an embankment. The deputy gave chase but lost sight of him.
Additional units and a K-9 team were dispatched to the area, and an extensive search was conducted throughout the evening. Residents within a four-mile radius were notified that Macias was on the run.
Macias was still handcuffed when he was finally taken into custody. Deputies learned that Macias had returned to the woods while the search was ongoing, where he retrieved firearms that he had previously stashed in the area.
Macias is lodged in the Douglas County Jail on the outstanding warrant for third-degree sex abuse, resisting arrest, second-degree escape, and third-degree theft.