On the 18th of March 2011, at approximately 4:05 AM, Officer Bill Golter of the Hermiston Police Department attempted to initiate a traffic stop on a silver in color, 2004 Oldsmobile with Oregon registration plates 194BSQ, after the vehicle drove through a stop sign at a high rate of speed narrowly missing Golter and his patrol vehicle. 

The vehicle fled for approximately ½ mile more before crashing into a fence in the area of 895 W. Orchard Avenue.  The occupants of the vehicle fled on foot.   

Subsequent investigation led to identification of the driver as Brandon L. Williams 21 years of age of 130 NE Cornell Place, Hermiston and Josiah L. Colbray 19 years of age of 1388 SW Sage Drive, Hermiston as a passenger.

Further investigation revealed the duo had just been involved with the theft of beer from the Wal-Mart Supercenter in which a female employee of Wal-Mart was physically forced out of the way during the commission of the theft.

Williams was arrested on the 20th of March 2011, at approximately 1:20 AM and lodged at the Umatilla County Jail in Pendleton on charges of Robbery in the Third Degree, Attempt to Elude in a Vehicle, Attempt to Elude on Foot, Recklessly Endangering, Reckless Driving, Driving While Suspended, Failure to Perform Duties of a Driver (Hit/Run), and Theft in the Third Degree.

Colbray was arrested on the 20th of March 2011, at approximately 11:40 AM and lodged at the Umatilla County Jail in Pendleton on charges of Robbery in the Third Degree and Theft in the Third Degree.