ALOHA, Ore. — A Beaverton man was arrested after allegedly stealing from an Aloha hardware store, leading deputies on a vehicle pursuit, crashing into multiple vehicles, and hiding from law enforcement for nearly three hours before being tracked down by sheriff’s K-9 teams.
According to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, the incident began on Sunday, May 31, 2026, when a deputy responded to a reported theft at Ace Hardware located at 3470 SW 185th Avenue in Aloha. Investigators learned the suspect had fled the scene in a vehicle.
Deputies later located the suspect driving on SW 201st Avenue and attempted a traffic stop. The driver allegedly refused to stop and led deputies on a pursuit. During the incident, the suspect crashed into another vehicle near SW 201st Avenue and SW Baseline Road before continuing and colliding with a second vehicle near SW 185th Avenue and SW Baseline Road.
The second crash disabled the suspect’s vehicle. Authorities said the occupants of the other vehicles involved were not seriously injured.
When deputies arrived at the crash scene, they discovered the driver had fled on foot. Deputies established a containment area and requested assistance from K-9 units.
Deputy Oien and K-9 Rexx responded to the scene, while Corporal Terry and K-9 Griff joined the search effort. Multiple 911 callers reported seeing the suspect running through neighborhoods and jumping fences as he attempted to evade capture.
The two K-9 teams worked together to track the suspect through the area, gradually closing the distance as he continued to flee.
After nearly three hours of searching, Deputy Oien and K-9 Rexx located the suspect hiding beneath a tarp in a backyard near the 19000 block of SW Johnson Road.
The suspect was identified as 40-year-old Moua Thao of Beaverton. He was taken into custody and transported to the Washington County Jail.
Thao faces multiple charges, including attempt to elude in a vehicle, hit-and-run, fourth-degree assault, reckless driving, second-degree theft, and outstanding warrants from both Washington County and the Oregon Board of Parole.
Authorities said additional charges related to other theft and driving-related investigations were added by the Beaverton Police Department and sheriff’s deputies after Thao was booked into jail.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office thanked community members who reported sightings and provided information that assisted deputies during the search.
Anyone with additional information about the investigation who has not yet spoken with deputies is asked to contact non-emergency dispatch at 503-629-0111 and reference case number 50-26-7537.
About the Author
Discover more from Right Now Oregon
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
