JOSEPHINE COUNTY, Ore. (Mar. 18, 2026) — A 37-year-old man was arrested Friday morning after authorities say he attempted to flee from deputies and assaulted a police K-9 during his capture near the Illinois River.
According to the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office, the incident occurred around 7:08 a.m. on March 13 along Illinois River Road near milepost 3, where a deputy on Forest Service patrol found two vehicles parked roadside with trash scattered nearby.
The deputy contacted a man in one of the vehicles and identified him as Christopher Michael Harwood, who was wanted on a felony no-bail warrant issued by the Oregon State Parole Board. The original charge tied to the warrant was assault on a peace officer, officials said.
Authorities said that after being informed he was under arrest, Harwood kicked out a window of the vehicle and fled on foot down a steep embankment toward the Illinois River.
A sheriff’s K-9 unit, Yana, was deployed to search the area and tracked Harwood to the bottom of the hill, where he was found under a tree near the river. During the apprehension, officials said Harwood attempted to choke the K-9.
Yana was not injured, and Harwood was taken into custody.
Harwood was transported to the Josephine County Jail, where he was lodged on charges including a parole violation warrant, second-degree escape, resisting arrest, and interfering with a law enforcement animal.
No additional injuries were reported.
All suspects are believed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law
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