PORT ANGELES — A Clallam County jury has convicted James Robert Vines of attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle, Superior Court records show.
Vines, 53, of Port Angeles is scheduled to be sentenced on the felony charge April 20.
He faces a sentencing range of 22 to 29 months in prison and an array of possible financial obligations, the Clallam County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office announced.
The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office said Vines fled in a 1991 Toyota Camry after Deputy Paul Federline yelled “Stop, police!” last Oct. 21, according to the affidavit for probable cause.
Vines, who had felony arrest warrants, performed a three-point turn in a driveway of a Deer Park Road residence and sped in Federline’s direction.
“I had to quickly move out of the way to get out of the lane of travel,” Federline wrote in the probable cause statement.
Sgt. John Hollis intercepted the car Vines was driving with his patrol vehicle. The Camry became stuck in a small ditch after nearly hitting Federline a second time, the deputy said.
Federline used a flashlight to break the passenger window before Vines surrendered, court papers said.
“I asked James why he had run and he stated, ‘I was scared,’ ” Federline wrote.
Vines was convicted March 29 after a two-day trial.
He has seven prior felony convictions, including malicious mischief, attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle, third-degree rape and failure to register as a sex offender, prosecutors said.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56450, or at rollikainen@peninsula dailynews.com.
