On September 30, 2024, at approximately 1:16 p.m., Frontier 911 dispatchers received a request for an officer to respond to a business in the 100 block of S. 5th Street in Madras. According to a news release from Madras Police, the caller informed dispatchers that an individual was struck by a motor vehicle and that the driver of the vehicle was in possession of a firearm while he fled the scene in a dark colored SUV.
Officers immediately received additional coverage from neighboring law enforcement agencies and Emergency Medical Services personnel. The victim was treated by Emergency Medical Services personnel and released from the scene with minor injury. Due to the information dispatchers were receiving from the callers, officers began searching the immediate Madras area and Highway 26 West.
At approximately 7:16 p.m., law enforcement located the vehicle involved in the hit and run incident, which was near Highway 26 near Pelton Dam Rd. The suspect was taken into custody and officers located the firearm while on scene. The suspect was identified as thirty-nine-year-old Harjinder Virk.
Mr. Virk was transported to St. Charles Hospital and ultimately booked and lodged at the Jefferson County Correctional Facility on several charges including, Assault, Menacing, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Failure to Perform the Duties of a Driver – Injured Person, Reckless Driving, Theft III, Disorderly Conduct, and DUII.
He is currently being held at the Jefferson County Jail where he is being held on $12,500 bail.
Anyone with information related to this investigation is encouraged to contact the Madras Police Department at 541-475-2424.