Deputies search for hit-and-run suspect whom victim photographed

By KATU.com Staff Published: Nov 7, 2012 at 10:42 AM PDT Last Updated: Nov 9, 2012 at 1:57 PM PDT

CLACKAMAS COUNTY, Ore. - The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public for help in finding a suspected hit-and-run driver involved in a crash on Halloween.

The suspect, identified by deputies as Jahi Rashid McKinney Brown, 22, was pursued and photographed by the victim after deputies said Brown left the scene of the crash.

The Sheriff’s office said the incident took place Oct. 31 at about 2 p.m. at the intersection of Highway 224 and SE Johnson Road. The area is known as Oatfield.

Deputies said Brown rear-ended a car being driven by Ciprian Gusetu, 35 of Milwaukie. Gusetu’s wife, who was 8-months pregnant, was also in the car. Neither were hurt.

After the crash, Brown got out of his car, picked up his license plate that had become detached during the crash, and then drove off into oncoming traffic, according to deputies.

Mr. Gusetu also got back in his car and pursued Brown, as did a witness to the crash who was in another vehicle.

Deputies said Brown tried to hide his car in a parking lot on SE Johnson Road, but Gusetu and the witness parked right next to him “in an attempt to exchange insurance information.”

At that time, Gusetu used his cell phone to photograph both Brown and his car’s license plate.

Brown got back into his car, deputies said, and then intentionally drove into Gusetu’s car a second time before driving over a curb and across landscaping to flee the area.

Brown was gone by the time deputies arrived on the scene, the sheriff’s office said. He was not found during a search of the area.

Gusetu’s car was damaged and Brown’s car has damage to the front bumper, deputies said.

Brown is a black male described as 5 feet 8 inches tall with a bushy afro haircut and large diamond-type earrings. In the photo snapped by Gusetu, he is wearing a dark-colored cap, a white shirt, gray pants and black gloves. Deputies said his last known address is in Southeast Portland.

Brown was driving a gold 2001 Chevrolet Malibu with Oregon plates reading 567ETJ. Deputies said his car has damage to the front bumper.

Deputies said Brown faces several possible charges including hit-and-run, reckless endangering, reckless driving, and criminal mischief.

Anyone who knows Brown’s whereabouts or has any other information about the incident is asked to call the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office's confidential Tip Line at 503-723-4949, or use the online e-mail form here. Please refer to case 12-32568.

Tips can also be sent by text message. Dial 274637 (or CRIMES) and start the message with CCSO. If possible, include the case number, 12-32568, in your message.