Bend PD drone, K-9 help catch teen suspect

(Update: Adding Bend PD drone video of fleeing teen)

With the help of a police drone and K-9 team, two teens were arrested on several charges Thursday night — one after a lengthy chase — accused of climbing into two pieces of gear at a northeast Bend construction site and crashing them into each other.

Officers were dispatched to Northeast Victor Place, north of St. Charles Bend, shortly before 10 p.m. Thursday on a report of one or more people tampering with the construction equipment, Corporal James Kinsella said.

The reporting party told dispatchers they could see at least two people who had entered a Bobcat skid-steer loader and Bobcat compact excavator, operating the equipment and intentionally crashing them into each other.

Jack Robinson and Sons Construction is working in the area, preparing it for new roads and buildings. Kinsella said police have had several issues with people entering, stealing and/or attempting to steal equipment on the site. He said the roads are closed and barricaded in the area, “but anyone can walk in on foot.”

“Unfortunately, we are finding they are leaving the keys in the equipment, even after multiple similar incidents,” Kinsella said, adding that there appear to be no security or cameras, “just good neighbors willing to call us” when suspicious events arise.

Officers arrived and set up containment in the area., and a police unmanned aircraft system (drone) and police K-9 Kim and partner Officer Kevin Uballez were used to contain and arrest a 15-year-old Redmond teen and a 16-year-old from Bend, Kinsella said.

When officers tried to contact the pair, the Redmond teen ran, while the Bend teen was taken into custody without incident.

The drone. K-9 team and several officers ran after the fleeing teen, engaging in a lengthy chase before taking him into custody without further incident, Kinsella said.

Kinsella said the juveniles caused extensive damage to the construction equipment, totaling more than $1,000. They also were found to have consumed alcohol, though they didn’t disclose where they got it.

Both teens were lodged at the Deschutes County Juvenile Detention Center on charges of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, first-degree criminal mischief, reckless endangering and minor in possession of alcohol (by consumption).

The Redmond teen also faces misdemeanor charges of fleeing or attempting to elude police and hit-and-run (property damage).