A man was arrested on multiple charges after fleeing the scene of a rollover accident near Lower Cove Road and Kerns Loop in Cove, according to a March 19 announcement from the Union County Sheriff’s Office.
The arrest followed reports that Sean Tyler Hamilton, born September 18, 1988, left the scene of an early morning crash. Authorities said Hamilton faced charges including Burglary II, Escape III, Parole Violation and several outstanding warrants. These included two Umatilla County warrants—one for giving false information to a peace officer related to a citation or warrant and another for interfering with officers as well as theft and criminal trespass. Additionally, Hamilton had a Washington state warrant for violating a protection order and two counts of Assault III.
After deputies responded to the accident just after 6 a.m., they learned Hamilton was not present but had active warrants. About an hour later, residents reported seeing a suspicious male knocking on doors in the area and attempting to enter homes. One neighbor told dispatch that someone tried forcibly entering their house but was denied entry.
Law enforcement used these community tips to narrow down Hamilton’s location. An Oregon State Police trooper and sheriff’s deputy spotted him walking on private property; when informed he was under arrest, Hamilton fled on foot. A deputy enlisted help from an ATV-riding neighbor to pursue him further while additional officers attempted to intercept him. Ultimately, Hamilton was found hiding in another neighbor’s garage and taken into custody.
“This is a wonderful example of the community helping its law enforcement,” officials said in their statement. “We want to thank those Cove community members who called dispatch, and especially the ATV owner who helped the deputy get to the suspect.” The statement also thanked Oregon State Police for their assistance.
The Union County Sheriff’s Office serves as the primary law enforcement agency for Union County by providing patrol operations, corrections services through its facility with capacity for 37 inmates, search-and-rescue efforts via an all-volunteer team responding to wilderness emergencies and outdoor safety education initiatives according to its official website. The office employs sixteen deputies out of its administrative headquarters in La Grande while collaborating with other groups on public safety programs such as youth outreach projects and animal control according to its official website.
The sheriff’s office states it aims “to deliver professional law enforcement services characterized by honesty, excellence, respect, integrity, firmness, fairness, compassion and valor” according to its official website.
