HILLSBORO, Ore.- On February 9, 2022, Ramona Nyisha Washington pleaded guilty to first-degree attempted robbery, failure to perform duties of a driver to injured persons, and unauthorized use of a vehicle. Washington County Circuit Court Presiding Judge Kathleen Proctor then sentenced the defendant to four years in prison. Senior Deputy District Attorney Allison Brown prosecuted the case against Ms. Washington. 

On December 17, 2021, the defendant drove a stolen car from Portland, Oregon to Beaverton, Oregon. The defendant stopped at a liquor store where she stole more than $100 worth of alcohol. She then drove to a nearby costume store and stole more than $100 worth of wigs. 

Employees of the second business witnessed the theft and followed the defendant into the parking lot in an attempt to retrieve the stolen items. Ms. Washington refused to hand the items over and got into the stolen car. She then hit one of the employees in the leg with the car as she drove off. 

Beaverton police were called and spotted the stolen vehicle a short time later. A high-speed chase ensued. During her attempt to elude authorities, Ms. Washington slammed into at least two occupied vehicles which caused injuries to the occupants and significant property damage.

Ms. Washington crashed the vehicle and fled on foot. She was caught by police. She told officers she wasn’t from the area and was trying to get back to Portland. The defendant had similar charges pending in Multnomah County for unauthorized use of a vehicle, failure to perform duties of a driver, and fleeing or attempting to elude police. 

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office wishes to acknowledge the work of the Beaverton Police Department on this case.

In addition to her prison sentence, the defendant was also ordered to pay restitution to her victims. She will be transferred to the Oregon Department of Corrections to begin serving her sentence.