Police pursuit on I-84 ends with juvenile safe, North Dakota woman arrested
By Joshuah Albert
The Dalles, Ore., Sept. 9, 2026 — A 15-year-old girl allegedly taken from foster care by her biological mother in violation of a court order was safely recovered Tuesday night after a pursuit that stretched from the Eugene-Springfield area to The Dalles, where the suspect’s car came to a stop on flattened tires, according to Oregon State Police.
OSP reported troopers were alerted to an active custodial interference in the Eugene area and potential kidnapping case involving a suspect driving a white Chevrolet sedan who was reportedly attempting to cross state lines.
Troopers from the Salem and Portland areas located the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop, but the driver allegedly fled and continued east, according to OSP.
Local troopers in the Gorge later located the vehicle and again attempted to stop it. OSP reported the driver attempted to elude police before troopers successfully deployed spike strips near Rowena
The vehicle, however, continued to drive east eventually exiting at the The Dalles.
The Chevrolet eventually became disabled near West Sixth Street and Cherry Heights Road in The Dalles, coming to a stop in the middle of West Sixth Street near Cascade Square.
Multiple officers conducted a high-risk stop with guns drawn and took Pearlstein into custody. The teenager was recovered unharmed.
“Thankfully, the juvenile was able to get to safety, and we were able to facilitate and get her away from the situation and to a place where she is safe,” said Lt. Jason Calloway on Wednesday.
The 15-year-old Eugene girl was brought to safety without incident, he said.
OSP identified the driver as Nicole Diane Pearlstein, 35, of Fargo, North Dakota. She was arrested and lodged at the Northern Oregon Regional Correctional Facilities, or NORCOR.
According to the OSP report, Pearlstein faces allegations of first-degree custodial interference, attempting to elude police in a vehicle, reckless driving and reckless endangering. She was also arrested on an outstanding warrant.
She remained in custody at NORCOR Jail in The Dalles this morning.
The report does not provide details about Pearlstein's relationship to the juvenile or the circumstances surrounding the original custodial interference allegation in Eugene.
OSP was assisted by Intertribal Police, the Hood River County Sheriff's Office, Wasco County Sheriff's Office and The Dalles Police Department.
The vehicle was towed from the scene.
The case was logged by OSP at approximately 7:20 p.m. Sept. 8.
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