Bond has been set at $150,000 for a 24-year-old Salem man who allegedly led Central City and Centralia Police on a high speed chase before driving a stolen pickup truck into a pond.
Tristan Rankin of Robin Road was eventually taken into custody after being found lying in a wooded area on the other side of the pond by one of the Centralia canine units.
He was formally charged with unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle and aggravated fleeing and attempting to elude police.
Marion County State’s Attorney Tim Hudspeth in the probable cause statement said after Central City Police attempted to stop the pickup, Rankin allegedly fled on US 51, Community Beach, and Norton Roads at speeds of over 100 miles per hour before going onto an ATV trail and into the pond. Hudspeth said the truck had been stolen in Flora.
Hudspeth asked for $100,000 bond due in part to Rankin having charges pending in Marion and at least five other area counties that he is currently out on bond.
Judge Joshua Morrison noted driving at those speeds are exceedingly dangerous and could have had disastrous results for others using the roads. As a result, he set bond at $150,000 with the condition Rankin not drive again. The Judge warned if he was caught driving, he would come back to jail and not come out.
Rankin told the judge he already had an attorney. A preliminary hearing was set for July 5th.
