Suspect arrested in Clark County after allegedly stealing car with children inside in Portland

A woman was arrested Monday in Clark County following a high-speed chase on Interstate 5 that started in Portland after she allegedly stole a vehicle with two children inside.

Portland police responded about 2:45 p.m. to the 6800 block of North Interstate Avenue after an officer was flagged down because a woman was apparently stealing a vehicle with two children in the backseat, according to a police news release.

Responding officers learned the children’s father left his vehicle running while he went inside a nearby business. As he returned to his vehicle, he saw a woman jumping into the driver’s seat. He tried to stop the theft, but the woman drove away with his children. The father suffered minor injuries to his hand, according to Portland police.

The children, ages 9 and 11, managed to escape from the vehicle while it was stopped near Northwest 15th Avenue and Glisan Street. They were uninjured and flagged down police, then were reunited with family, the police bureau said.

Shortly after, the stolen vehicle was spotted in North Portland by a Multnomah County, Ore., sheriff’s deputy, who initiated pursuit. The vehicle, a silver sedan, was reported at speeds of up to 85 mph, weaving in and out of traffic on I-5 north heading across the Interstate 5 Bridge into Vancouver, according to emergency radio traffic monitored at The Columbian.

The Port of Portland Police, Vancouver Police Department, Clark County Sheriff’s Office, Washington State Patrol and Cowlitz Tribal Police assisted in stopping the vehicle just south of the Northeast 134th Street exit in Salmon Creek.

Portland police identified the suspect as Iosha Dashae Millage, 33, of Portland. She was booked into the Clark County Jail on suspicion of attempt to elude, reckless driving, driving with a suspended or revoked license and being a fugitive from justice.

The fugitive from justice charge stems from a Portland police arrest warrant for Millage for second-degree kidnapping, first-degree robbery, third-degree robbery, unlawful use of a motor vehicle and attempt to elude. When the extradition process is complete, Millage will be taken to Multnomah County where additional charges may be filed, Portland police said.

Portland police Major Crimes Unit detectives, who had responded to assist in the early stages of the incident, are continuing the investigation.