Redmond police, CERT raid homeless camp on BLM land east of city, recover $50K in stolen items; two arrested

Wash. company's tools returned, says it saved seven jobs

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) – A two-week Redmond Police Department investigation led to a raid Tuesday on a homeless camp on BLM land east of the city, the recovery of $50,000 worth of stolen tools and other items and the arrest of a man and woman on theft, vehicle theft and other charges, police said.

A search warrant was executed at 8 a.m. by Redmond police officers, assisted by the Central Oregon Emergency Response Team, Lieutenant Eric Beckwith said.

A 50-year-old man and 26-year-old woman were taken to the Deschutes County Jail in Bend and lodged on several charges, including unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, aggravated first-degree theft, first-degree criminal mischief, second-degree criminal trespass, felon in possession of a restricted weapon and probation violation.

CERT, the region’s SWAT team, was activated based on the man’s criminal information and information that might have a gun. “Upon execution of the warrant, officers located a realistic AK-47 style air rifle, as well as an AK-47 magazine loaded with 7.62 ammunition,” Beckwith said in a news release.

Officers also recovered a large number of tools belonging to CNC Project Management, a Washington-based company that recently was a theft victim, the lieutenant said.

“The tools were returned to CNC, who indicated the recovery of tools saved the jobs of seven employees,” Beckwith said. “Officers continue to investigate the case, in the hopes of recovering additional stolen items.”

Beckwith said Redmond Police also want to thank CERT for their assistance in the operation.