Bend car-theft suspect chased, runs from police; late-night alert sent to hundreds downtown

(Update: Added video)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – An SUV left unlocked with the keys in it was stolen in southern Bend on Tuesday, police said. It was later spotted on Redmond’s south end and chased to downtown Bend, where the driver ran, prompting a manhunt and a late-night alert to area residents.

Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies spotted the SUV and tried to spike the tires at one point in the pursuit, Bend Police Sgt. Scott Dickerson said.

Bend Police Communications Manager Sheila Miller tells KTVZ News officers found the SUV abandoned downtown with the “doors open and running.”

Dickerson said officers set up a perimeter around the SUV and used drones and a K-9 team to search for the driver, who got away.

“Our officers put out an EPN (emergency phone notification) because of the high density of residences in the area,” Miller said.

A brief Deschutes Alert notice sent at 11:42 p.m. advised hundreds of home and business owners about a “person of interest” near NW Wall Street and Colorado Avenue. It included a limited description of the subject, “believed to be white and with curly brown hair.”

“If you see someone hiding or running in the area, do not contact the subject and call 911,” the alert said. “The subject is not wanted for crimes of violence, but should still be considered dangerous.”

Miller said a follow-up alert notice was not sent, since the subject was not found.