>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

An Oregon prison escapee who eluded a police manhunt in northeast Bend Friday afternoon was taken into custody in La Grande after a short foot chase, according to the city police department.

At approximately 6:55 p.m., La Grande Police Sgt. Scott Franks, Senior Officer Kris Rasmussen and Senior Officer Tony Barnett were dispatched to a disturbance call in the 600 block of Miller Drive.

While en route, they learned that the male suspect, Corrigan W. Stufflebeem, 39, was an escapee from the Snake River Correctional Facility out of Ontario. He failed to return to the prison from a temporary leave.

Stufflebeem was observed walking in the area and took off on foot after seeing the police. After a short foot pursuit, he was taken into custody without incident.

Once in custody, Stufflebeem initially gave a false name. The name he gave police turned out to be the name of a victim of a car theft out of Redmond. The stolen car was subsequently located in the area and tied to Stufflebeem. Additional evidence recovered from Stufflebeem also tied him to the stolen vehicle.

Stufflebeem was lodged in the Union County Correctional Facility on charges of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and a no-bail warrant for escape.

Stufflebeem faces numerous charges in both Redmond and Bend for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, theft, felony elude, reckless driving, assault in the fourth degree, menacing and coercion.