The last time Eugene Police had seen Anthony Joseph Molaski it was summer, and he was running from them wearing nothing but a hospital gown.
On Monday, EPD found the 22-year-old. He was still running. This time, it was because the owner of a 1996 Dodge Caravan watched him drive away in a car that wasn’t his, chased him on foot several blocks and nearly tackled him while he was still in the driver’s seat.
It all started on June 7. Molaski was staggering across the front lawn of a business at 6th Avenue and Grant Street, police say. When officers arrived, Molaski wouldn’t listen to their commands. He stood in the street, creating a hazard.
An officer tried to persuade Molaski to leave the road, but he continued to resist. Eventually, he was taken into custody and driven to a local hospital.
At the hospital, the officers tried to cite Molaski for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.
Instead, he spit on an officer and took an opportunity to flee wearing only the gown, police say.
Fast forward to Monday night. It’s not quite 8 p.m. David Johnson, a 22-year-old Eugene resident stands in the doorway of a friend’s house with his van still running in the driveway.
From behind, he hears the door to his Dodge Caravan open and close. He turns and sees it speeding away, police said.
Johnson races after it on foot. Molaski pulls into the Circle K parking lot on 13th Avenue and High Street. Then Johnson catches up and reaches into the van, trying to grab him.
But Molaski sped off, sending Johnson rolling across the ground, receiving only minor injuries.
As police were called to the scene, an approaching officer spotted the stolen van at 12th Avenue and High Street. Moments later police found the van, abandoned at 14th Avenue and Mill Street.
Molaski ran into a nearby apartment, police say, shutting the door before officers could reach him. But Molaski burst out the back door of the apartment, and the pursuit continued until he was finally captured at 11th Avenue and Mill Street.
Police loaded up the accusations.
They accused Molaski of third degree assault, third degree robbery, DUII, reckless driving, unauthorized use of a vehicle, possession of a stolen vehicle, eluding in a vehicle and eluding by foot. He was cited for driving while uninsured, driving while suspended and possession of less than an ounce of marijuana.
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