Homicide Suspect from Twin Falls Arrested in Oregon

ONTARIO, Ore. (News Release) – On Feb. 4, during the evening hours, OSP received an attempt to locate an individual who had warrants for his arrest for Homicide and Unlawful possession of a firearm.

Credible information was developed that the fugitive, who was known to have violent tendencies and to abuse drugs was possibly traveling on US 20 between Burns, Oregon and Ontario, Ore. OSP with the assistance of the Harney County Sheriff's Office, Malheur County Sheriff's Office and an agent from the Bureau of Land Management attempted to locate the blue Ford F150 pickup that the subject was reported to be driving.

At approximately 8:45 p.m., a vehicle matching the description was located near milepost 163 on US 20 parked off the shoulder of the roadway. As law enforcement pulled in behind the vehicle, the vehicle accelerated and fled eastbound on US 20.

As the vehicle fled, its speeds ranged from 50-100 mph and the operator was driving very recklessly, often times traveling into the oncoming lanes of travel and into the path of oncoming vehicles. Numerous items, including a loaded firearm were thrown from the vehicle as it eluded.

Those items were recovered by the Harney County Sheriff's Office. The Malheur County Sheriff's Office successfully deployed spike strips at milepost 216 and flattened the two driver's side tires. The vehicle slowed and at milepost 218, veered off the right shoulder of the roadway and into a snowdrift.

The driver, 46 year old John David WURDEMANN from Twin Falls, Idaho was taken into custody without incident. Wurdemann was lodged in the Malheur County Jail on the following charges: Attempt to Elude in a Vehicle (Felony), Felon in Possession of a Firearm (Felony), two Nationwide Felony warrants -- one for Homicide out of Canyon County, Idaho and the other for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm out of Twin Falls, Idaho. Wurdemann was additionally charged with Reckless Driving and Recklessly Endangering Another.

The passenger, 22 year old Stormy Raine ALLEN also from Twin Falls, Idaho was also taken into custody without incident. Allen was lodged in the Malheur County Jail on the following charges: Attempt to Elude in a Vehicle (Felony), Felon in Possession of a Firearm (Felony), Hindering Prosecution (Felony), Tampering with Evidence, Offensive Littering and Interfering with a Police Officer.

The vehicle was towed to the OSP office in Ontario where it was secured. The investigation is ongoing.

Source: Oregon State Police