Raids on two La Pine homes lead to stolen goods, three arrests

Three La Pine men were arrested on theft, burglary and drug charges in a pair of raids Wednesday night on homes where Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies recovered numerous items, from guns to tools, stolen from several south-county homes and outbuildings over the past several months.

Deputies and detectives with the sheriff’s office Street Crime Unit conducted search warrants around 8 p.m. Wednesday at 51455 Birch Road and 53342 Big Timber Drive, said Sgt. Deke DeMars.

The raids followed a long-term burglary and stolen property investigation. DeMars said deputies and detectives found and recovered numerous stolen items that Adrian Whitley, 34, and Jakey Stamps, 43, had stolen and stored at both locations.

An investigation determined the two men had burglarized several homes in an area south of Sunriver and into La Pine since the end of last year, DeMars said.

The burglars hit homes, shops and outbuildings, stealing items that ranged from electronics and tools to firearms and outdoor equipment.

When arrested, Whitley also had street-level quantities of methamphetamine in his possession that he planned to deliver and sell in the La Pine area, DeMars said. Stamps and a third arrested man, Robert Hux, 48, also had meth in their possession, the sergeant said.

Whitley remained held late Thursday at the county jail, held on $311,000 bail facing two-dozen charges: five counts of first-degree burglary, one count of first-degree attempted burglary, three counts of second-degree burglary, five counts of first-degree theft, one count of third-degree theft, four counts of first-degree criminal mischief and one count each of second- and third-degree criminal mischief and meth delivery and possession.

Stamps remained held on $61,000 bail, facing one count of first-degree attempted burglary, two counts of second-degree burglary and one count each of first- and second-degree theft, third-degree criminal mischief and meth possession.

Hux was cited in lieu of custody and released on one count each of first-degree theft and meth possession.

“The investigation is ongoing, and additional arrests are expected in the near future,” DeMars concluded in a news release.