Man Arrested for Shooting at Motorists & Attempted Car Theft

Police say the man crashed, shot at cars, tried to steal one on the freeway, and then from a car dealership where he was arrested.

DMV photograph of Vandenbos. Scene photos courtesy: Oregon State Police.

(ROSEBURG, Ore.) - Police say a Myrtle Creek-area man was arrested Saturday following a series of events starting with a single vehicle crash on Interstate 5 north of Myrtle Creek, shots fired at passing vehicles, and then an attempt to take a car from an auto dealership in Roseburg. There were no injuries.

Oregon State Police Sergeant Bill Fugate says Saturday at approximately 10:00 a.m., 32-year old Gregory Scott Vandenbos of Myrtle Creek, was involved in a non-injury single vehicle crash northbound Interstate 5 near milepost 111.

After the crash according to Fugate, Vandenbos exited his crashed vehicle and demanded a ride from other vehicles that stopped at the scene.

"Vandenbos fired at least four shots from a handgun at the occupants of three vehicles that drove away to prevent getting hit by the gunfire," Fugate said.

"After shooting at the vehicles, Vandenbos fled on foot along the freeway while witnesses were calling 9-1-1." Fugate says OSP troopers and Douglas County sheriff deputies continued responding to the scene.

"Vandenbos subsequently obtained a ride from an unsuspecting commercial truck driver north to the McLain interchange near milepost 121 in Roseburg where he was let out."

Gregory Vandenbos faces several charges

Fugate says an unidentified driver of a red pickup gave Vandenbos a ride from the freeway to the Clint Newell auto dealership and dropped him off.

"Vandenbos contacted employees at the dealership and demanded a vehicle, allegedly threatening he was armed but didn't display a firearm.

Roseburg police responded to a report of a man with a gun at the auto dealership and took VANDENBOS into custody at 10:40 a.m." Fugate said.

OSP troopers and detectives working in conjunction with Roseburg Police Department, Douglas County Sheriff's Office and Myrtle Creek Police Department lodged Vandenbos in the Douglas County Jail.

He faces 3 counts of first-degree Attempted Assault and one count of second-degree Robbery. Additional charges are anticipated, they said.

Troopers say they located the suspect's semi-auto handgun along the freeway where he dropped it while fleeing on foot from the shooting scene.

With the assistance of Oregon Department of Transportatnion crews, northbound Interstate 5 was closed in the area of the crash scene until approximately 1:30 p.m.

Fulgate says investigators have interviewed two of the 3 drivers in the vehicles that were reportedly shot at.

"The third driver left northbound in a late 1990 / early 2000 blue Ford pickup. Investigators are seeking to interview the unidentified victim, the driver of the red pickup that gave the suspect a ride to the auto dealership, and any witnesses not interviewed by police."

He says those witnesses should contact OSP Southern Command Center dispatch at (541) 776-6111.

No further information is being released at this time.

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Thank you editorfor posting my comments and the profanatiy will end but put yourself in my shoes after reading what the smart people think. I am sorry for the accusation that the jornalist are at fault and really put the blame on the detectives and officer of Douglas countie that were involved. their accusation of the event were not close to true. The public has a right to a oppinion but if they really like to know what went on that day just ask or better yet and find out what i was sentenced to. Lastly would like to point out I am a regular person with a normal life up tell 33 minutes of a bipoler snap which is like i have been told a guy on crack,crank ect. The incident was about 2-3 weeks before the date of incident and took a month -6 months to snap out of . Just goes to show you what could happen when a person is not very knowlegable about a mental illness. So I guess we should take this creep loser drug attic off the streets and trough away the key. I hope you don't have a mental illness and sombody tells you that your no good. God created me with a chimical imbalance in the brain to maybe help other with this problem or relate to others that stuggle with their problems. So to end this 34 years old and one 33 min. episode in my life. Like to thank anyone that has took the time to hear me and if this dosn't explain and change you opinion well tuff for you cause I am a wonderful person.

Editor: Well Greg, you are welcome and the same to you, I care about about getting it right and we're trying to rewire this whole media thing that is lame overall far too often.  I can't make any promises, but I would consider an editorial from you about your story if you are interested.  I see you express yourself clearly, so no promises but I would sure consider it.  Feel free to write to me at tim@salem-news.com.  I can promise that if you generate something, that I will look at it, and if I think it works to publish then I will.  Thanks. 

I have one thing to add if Rebbeca Stevens, Jeff L., and Mike H. were sopposable victams or related to a Dale Petterman of Sutherlin In some way shape or form go to hell you all are on your way so the sooner the better I say. If I was to be shooting or wanted to be shooting at people dont you think you would have found 3 dead people or maybe even a bullet hole. You stupid people have nothing else better to do than bitch. Yes It is true I am a free man and if anyone has a problem with it look me up I'll staigten you out in no time. # attempted assult charges comes from 3 complaints and I bet I found the u name victaims or not but have you names and get any sh*t from you 3 it deffinetly gona hit the fan and you will come out very much more educated I promise love you all and have a wonderful day.

Editor: Gregory, don't use profanity in our comments section, I am putting this comment up, but also remember that these are news comments, the people are just tossing in their two cents' worth.  I won't correct comments with profanity twice, so work with me on that. 

To all you that have 2 cent on this story. I have addvice for you and the officers/news people. Get the facts before you write a story and remember to look I the mirror when you are worried about creeps. This shit all went threw court and the end results and findings in this case was that I wasn't on crack or meth or anything and that I had personal issues not needed for you to know but if you must I'm free and happy in Roseburg come find me I will explain to anyone with a problem very clearly and I am certain I won't have to repeat myself. Option 2 is f*^k off mind your own f&^%$n bis. Remeber to everyone what you read In the news is a fabrication of bullshit made up by witnesses /police/jornalist and the s*%t they accuse a person of the next day or even week should be accurate., but you tell me how thats possible when it take about 11 months to get to the truth. So the next time you read about a creep or a loser remember that the day before it could be you looking In the mirror. Not anger with you all that had a comment but inspired me to comment my self and share my 2 cents worth. Any problems with fell free to comment or look me up have a great day to everyone and f*ck you to the bitches with the comments.

Editor: Well I hope you are aware that writing such threatening things does not help, does it?  FYI we're the one news group that treats people fairly, I don't care about what you did or didn't do.  If you aren't described by the cops accurately that is one thing, but you need to consider that we didn't get a news release from you, only them.      

Not sure anyone will read this because it is so old, but this creep is now out on bail! Great court system!

And the Legislature wants to lay off State Troopers.....go figure. Call your State Representatives now!

I hope he gets attempted murder charges. Keep trash where it belongs, in the garbage.

No one has anything to say about this outrageous act?? C'mon people, I realize this is a 'small' town and several people must know this guy...probably saw it coming too, but that doesn't mean heads should stay in the sand, so more freaks like him (you know who they are) can throw a tantrum when they run out of meth or pills. The lack of conviction in this area makes me sick. This is not "Bumpkinville" This is America WAKE THE HELL UP!!!!!!

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