Tips lead to suspect in La Pine DQ holdup try

(Update: Newberg man identified as suspect in robbery attempt)

Tips on social media led the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office to quickly identify a Newberg man suspected of trying to hold up the La Pine Dairy Queen late Monday afternoon. He was arrested on Tuesday morning in Salem, deputies said.

Within an hour of asking the public for information in the case, the sheriff’s office began receiving tips on social media that helped identify the suspect as Jason L. Reed, 31, of Newberg, Sgt. William Bailey said. Reed was taken into custody Tuesday morning by Salem police on theft and car theft charges, Bailey said..

Deputies were dispatched shortly after 5 p.m. Monday to the reported robbery attempt at the Dairy Queen at 52505 Highway 97 North, Sgt. William Bailey said.

Investigators learned a man had entered and asked the cashier to open the cash register, Bailey said. The man acted as though he had a weapon, but none was seen.

When the cashier refused to open the cash register, the man left in a silver Chevy Traverse LS with Oregon license plates, heading south on Highway 97 Bailey said.

The man was described as an adult white male, about 5-foot-10 and 160 pounds, and was wearing a brown sweatshirt and blue jeans. He had short, dark hair, a trimmed beard and dark framed glasses. He left in a silver Chevy Traverse LS with Oregon license plates, Bailey said.

A Facebook post on Monday said Reed allegedly took a family vehicle without authorization –a 2009 Chevy Traverse — and was possibly endangered or dealing with mental health issues.

Bailey said the Deschutes County attempted robbery charges are pending and the case will go to the district attorney’s office for review.

“We would like to thank the public for their assistance,” he added.