Three pursuits east of Redmond lead to two arrests

Three police pursuits onto public land east of Redmond late last week led to two drivers’ arrests and a police reminder that much of the land has been posted as no trespassing, or is designated for daytime use only.

Shortly after 1 a.m. Friday, a Redmond officer tried to pull over a 1999 Ford Contour for trespassing on Central Oregon Irrigation District property, said Lt. Jesse Petersen.

The driver refused to stop and a pursuit ensued, heading south on a dirt road, Petersen said. The car was found abandoned a short time later.

Police, Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies and Oregon State Police troopers set up a search perimeter and Bend police Officer Victor Umnitz and K-9 partner Tony responded to help track the suspect.

The driver, identified as transient Chelsea Flettre, 29, was found about 150 yards from the car, Petersen said.

She was taken to the county jail in Bend, where she remained Tuesday on two probation violation charges and attempting to elude police in a vehicle. Her bail totaled $30,000, jail records showed.

At 11:36 p.m. Friday, a Redmond officer found a stolen 1995 Oldsmobile Aurora in the area of East Antler Avenue and Northeast 11th Street, Petersen said.

While the officer was with the stolen car, a Chevy Colorado pickup left the COID property and continued north through BLM property, the lieutenant said.

Officers tried to stop the pickup for trespassing on COID property. But the driver refused to stop and a pursuit ensued, heading north and northeast through BLM and Deschutes County land.

Redmond officers, Deschutes County deputies and OSP troopers set up a search perimeter but that car was not found.

However, just before midnight, a 1991 Subaru Legacy’s driver failed to yield to officers and entered the search perimeter, prompting another pursuit, Petersen said.

The driver, later identified as Brian Duran, 29, of Redmond, headed south on county and BLM property and was found by OSP when he tried to leave the search area on Highway 126.

Duran was arrested and taken to the county jail, where he remained Tuesday, held without bail on a parole violation and also facing charges of attempting to elude police, reckless driving and second-degree criminal trespass.

Petersen said anyone with information about the three pursuits is encouraged to contact Redmond police through dispatch at 541-693-6911.

He also said Redmond police want to remind the community that COID property southeast of Northeast Antler Avenue and Ninth Street has been posted “no trespassing.”

Also, Deschutes County land in the area is designated for day use only, meaning people cannot be on the property after hours.

Petersen said Redmond police will enforce the no-trespass status to protect people’s property from being stolen or destroyed.

He said Redmond police want to thank the sheriff’s office OSP and Bend police for their help in the investigations.