WINCHESTER, Ore. — A high-speed chase through Roseburg ended in the arrest of 50-year-old Glenn Gearhart of Bell Gardens, California, following a major drug trafficking investigation by the Douglas Interagency Narcotics Team.
Gearhart is a convicted felon with a violent criminal history, and he was reportedly involved in the sale of large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl in the Roseburg area. Authorities said Gearhart has spent the bulk of his adult life in the California prison system.
On October 18, detectives executed a search warrant for Gearhart and his residence on Page Road in Winchester.
When authorities attempted to stop Gearhart as he drove away from the residence in a Jeep Cherokee, he led deputies on a dangerous pursuit through North Roseburg. The chase spanned several city streets before Gearhart’s vehicle was eventually pinned by law enforcement. He was confronted by multiple deputies, Roseburg PD officers, and DINT detectives. After a brief standoff, Gearhart was taken into custody without further incident, authorities said.
According to DINT, a search of Gearhart’s vehicle revealed multiple firearms, including a stolen Glock handgun from Los Angeles and an illegal short-barreled shotgun. Detectives also discovered a large amount of cash.
A search of his residence uncovered over a pound of suspected fentanyl, 1.6 pounds of methamphetamine, as well as cocaine, alprazolam which is commonly sold as Xanax, and psilocybin mushrooms, authorities said.
Gearhart faces multiple charges, including felony drug trafficking, firearms violations, and reckless endangerment and driving.
Authorities also arrested 34-year-old Hannah Fallert, who was found at the residence and charged with drug possession and distribution, including distribution within 1,000 feet of a school.
The investigation remains ongoing, as DINT is looking into Gearhart’s potential connections to an overdose death in the area.