OSP trooper disarms, Tasers, pepper-sprays fugitive at La Pine home; he runs, eludes large manhunt, area alerted
La PINE, Ore. (KTVZ) – An armed fugitive trying to enter a La Pine-area home Thursday evening resisted arrest and fled an Oregon State Police trooper who deployed his Taser and pepper spray and managed to disarm him. The encounter prompted an alert to area residents to shelter in place, but a manhunt involving several agencies failed to find him.
The suspicious subject, identified by OSP as Timithy Robert Carl Graham, 43, was spotted shortly before 5 p.m. in the 16000 block of Buena Vista Drive, OSP said. He was concealing his face when contacted and recognized as someone wanted on state and federal warrants, but escaped after the Taser and pepper spray deployment.
Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies, Bend Police and US Marshals responded to assist, but OSP said Graham eluded the search and remained at large.
The sheriff’s office told the public in a Facebook post the suspect last was seen in blue jeans and a dark hoodie, and last was seen running in the area of Del Pino Drive and Day Road.
The man last had been spotted running in the area of Del Pino Drive and Day Road, heading south. In the "shelter in place" Deschutes Alert sent around 5:45 p.m., he was described as about 43 years old, 5-foot-11 and 200 pounds, with brown hair and green eyes. He was last seen wearing blue jeans, low-heeled work boots and a dark hoodie with some camo on it.
“He is also considered armed and dangerous – do not approach,” the sheriff’s office said, advising residents to “expect a heavy law enforcement presence in the area of Big Timber Lane and Buena Vista Drive.” Police K-9 teams were in the area assisting law enforcement.
The residents were sent a follow-up alert around 7:50 p.m., indicating the sheriff’s office had lifted the shelter in place alert for west La Pine.
“The male is still loose and considered armed and dangerous,” the notice said. “If you see anything suspicious, please call 911 immediately.”
In an OSP log entry shared Friday with NewsChannel 21, troopers said, “OSP is not currently engaged in a manhunt. However, they added, “Any person with information related to this incident should contact local authorities.”
