Motel burglar chased through Sisters, caught

A couple staying at a Sisters motel got a shocking wake-up early Wednesday – an alleged burglar who then ran, sparking a cat-and-mouse search through town until he was found hiding in a lumber yard, authorities said.

Shortly after 6 a.m., Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the reported burglary at the Sisters Inn and Suites at 605 Arrowleaf Trail, said Sgt. Troy Gotchy. The caller advised a man had gotten into a couple’s room, then ran upstairs. The caller had lost sight of the man at that time, Gotchy said.

The first deputy to arrive spotted the man, later identified as Austin William Mogan, 19, of Sisters, in the BiMart parking lot, Gotchy said. He tried to talk to the man, but he ran away.

Deputies set up a search perimeter and Redmond police Officer Hank Mejetich and K-9 partner “Arco” also were dispatched to the scene.

Minutes later, a deputy on the search perimeter spotted the man crossing Pine Street, heading toward Hoyt’s Hardware & Building Supply, Gotchy said. The deputy tried to contact Mogan, but he again ran.

A new perimeter was set up, and another deputy saw him, but he refused to stop and ran back toward Hoyt’s, Gotchy said.

Majetich and his dog found the suspect, along with other deputies, in the lumber yard at Hoyt’s, and at that point he obeyed all commands and was taken into custody, Gotchy said.

Mogan was taken to St. Charles-Bend, where he was cited on several charges and released for observation. Initial charges include first-degree burglary, first-degree criminal trespass, third-degree criminal mischief, resisting arrest, attempt to elude (misdemeanor) and interfering with a police officer.