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A man, according to authorities, gave a brief police chase after he drove his truck into a busy parade in Portland, Oregon, on Saturday.
Sidney Sean Mecham, 42, was arrested after a police officer on a motorcycle was alerted to a man driving a pickup truck on the closed route of the annual Grand Floral Parade, according to a Portland Police Department press release (PPB).
A witness who spoke local CBS partner KOIN said children were still on the road when Mecham’s pickup pulled into the street.
“I thought someone was going to get hit any minute,” the witness said, adding that there were “tons of little toddlers.”
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Sidney Sean Mecham has a long criminal record that includes traffic violations and sex crimes, according to local CBS affiliate KOIN. (Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office)
“Little kids ran out in the middle of the road to get candy, and then, probably about two blocks away (…), I believe it was a gray pickup truck that came charging down the street,” the witness continued. . “We think he was going about 30 miles an hour. And everyone was screaming and running out to get their kids.”
The PPB press release stated that the officer “saw paraders running down the street and heard them shouting to get his attention”, and held Mecham in his hand, stopped beside him and told him to pull over.
Mecham repeatedly refused to stop, according to police.
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A float on the Grand Floral Parade is on display during the Portland Rose Festival in Portland, Oregon, on June 10, 2023. (E. Guangcai/Xinhua via Getty Images)
The officer then pulled in front of Mecham’s truck to warn pedestrians of potential danger, but he backed away after it appeared the truck was about to hit him. According to PPB, Mecham then suddenly turned left towards families on the curb.
Police followed Mecham through a barricade as parade volunteers ducked aside.
The PPB Air Support Unit then began tracking the truck and, according to police, was able to notify officers on the ground. Mecham was arrested after finally stopping at an intersection.
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Portland police officers reportedly followed Sidney Sean Mecham through the parade’s busy route with the aid of close air support. (Portland Police Department)
According to police, Mecham was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center on charges of recklessly endangering another person, disorderly conduct, attempted evasion and reckless driving. He was also reportedly slapped with a hit-and-run charge in an unrelated case.
Mecham, whose truck was towed for not having insurance, was also caught driving while suspended, disobeying a police officer and not having insurance, according to authorities.
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According to KOIN, Mecham has a long criminal history, including traffic violations and sexual crimes. Portland Police Bureau spokesman David Baer confirmed to the local outlet that Mecham is a registered sex offender, and court documents show his first sex charge dates back to 1996 in Multnomah County.
Jon Brown is a writer for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to jon.brown@fox.com.
