Police make early morning arrest at EOU for unauthorized entry into motor vehicles
LA GRANDE — Police arrested a La Grande man in the early hours of May 19 after students at Eastern Oregon University reported he was rummaging through cars.
Police took Sean Stellings, 29, into custody on two counts of unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle, according to Oregon public records.
Officers Ryan Bernards and Cody Billman around 3:30 a.m. responded to Eastern's campus on a report that an individual — later identified as Stellings — was entering vehicles in the parking lot, according to the probable cause declaration. When police arrived on scene, officers found a security guard and two students restraining Stellings face down on the ground. Stellings was reportedly trying to bite them and push them off.
Police handcuffed Stellings and rolled him onto his left side in what is known as the recovery position, according to the probable cause declaration. Bernards noted that Stellings appeared not to be conscious — although he was still breathing and had a strong pulse.
Bernards requested dispatch send an ambulance to his location, according to the police report. Based on his previous professional contact with Stellings, Bernards administered two Narcan nasal sprays. Naloxone — commonly known by the brand name Narcan — is a medication that can reverse an opioid overdose, including fentanyl, heroin and prescription opioid medication.
Police monitored Stellings and removed his handcuffs, stated the probable cause declaration. Paramedics transported him to Grande Ronde Hospital. Billman accompanied the paramedics and Bernards remained on scene to complete interviews.
The two students reportedly told police they were in their dorm room when they saw Stellings in the parking lot. They said they saw him enter two cars — where he searched for items — and attempted to enter another two. When the security guard arrived, the students said they went outside.
The security guard said they found Stellings rummaging through a vehicle and attempted to shut him inside until law enforcement arrived, according to the police report. However, Stellings pushed his way out and ran. They chased him and pinned him to the ground.
Police reported that Stellings had a duffel bag and several items in his possession, which they believe were stolen. These were seized for evidence.
After he was medically cleared, police arrested Stellings and took him into custody. He reportedly told Bernards that he did not remember the encounter. He said the last thing he remembered was waking up around 4 p.m. the day prior — May 18.
Stellings is represented by court-appointed counsel, La Grande attorney J. Logan Joseph.
