Oregon car thief's escape plot foiled by landslide

BROOKINGS, Ore. - A man stole a taxi at knifepoint and led police on a chase before crashing into a landslide blocking a rural road, investigators said.

Cody Pettit, 18, is suspected of stealing the white taxi van at knifepoint just before 4 p.m. Saturday, according to the Curry County sheriff.

A deputy spotted the vehicle on Highway 101 and tried to pull the driver over. The deputy followed as Pettit turned onto Meyers Creek Road, which was closed due to a landslide, the sheriff said.

And Pettit soon found out why after he crashed the taxi into the mounds of mud and dirt blocking the road. He was taken into custody without further incident, the sheriff said.

Prosecutors say Petit faces several charges, including robbery, car theft, posession of meth, and eluding police.