Two Calif. Teen Runaways Held in La Pine Standoff

The two people who surrendered and were arrested after a nearly three-hour standoff at a La Pine-area home were identified Saturday as a pair of California teen runaways, a 16-year-old girl and 15-year-old boy.

Deschutes County sheriff’s Lt. Chad Davis said Saturday that both teens are in the juvenile detention center and face first-degree burglary charges. The girl also is charged with first-degree criminal trespass and and theft, while the boy also faces charges of second-degree burglary and theft and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

Neither teen was armed when they were taken into custody, but Davis said a gun was recovered from the home. A concern over that possibility prompted the extensive tactical-team operation around the home, including road closures, school bus diversions and warnings to neighbors to stay in their homes and lock their doors.

“It is unknown why they were in this area,” Davis said in his update, “but the male has ties to Deschutes County.”

Sheriff’s detectives are investigating whether other area homes were broken into, Davis said, adding that anyone with information that could help in the case is urged to contact the sheriff’s office at (541)693-6911.

The owner of the vacant home had a shocking surprise when he paid a visit Friday afternoon ? someone was inside, and items were out of place. He left and reported a burglary in progress, sparking the nearly three-hour standoff that closed roads, brought out the region?s SWAT team and eventually led to the arrests.

Deputies and Oregon State Police headed to the home at 16007 Parkway Drive, at the corner of Parkway and Day Road, on the report of a burglary in progress, said sheriff?s Lt. Kevin Dizney.

Arriving deputies learned from the homeowner that he?d just arrived in La Pine to check on his unoccupied summer home. After he entered, he noticed the items out of place and saw someone inside ? so he left immediately and dialed 911, Dizney said.

Deputies surrounded the home, awaiting the arrival of the county?s Special Operations Team, Dizney said. Police scanner reports indicated there was concern whoever was inside could have access to firearms, prompting the special precautions.

The Bend-La Pine Schools bus barn also was notified to avoid the area, since buses were nearby, ready to drop off kids headed home from school, the lieutenant said.

Several nearby residents also were contacted, advised of the situation and asked to remain inside, with doors locked, until the incident was over, Dizney said.

“We don’t know if it’s a lone subject in there, we don’t know if it’s male of female, we don’t know if they’re armed or not, but they have barricaded themselves inside the residence,” said Sheriff Larry Blanton.

Neighbors were shocked by what was going on in their usually quiet area.

“I’ve lived in La Pine for quite a few years. and it’s been a very quiet neighborhood,” said resident Gary Huber. “We have good neighbors here, and it’s never a problem.

“It’s very comfortable to live here — so far no problems, until this,” he said.

Huber said there were plenty of police on scene Friday afternoon: “They just kept coming, and we saw the special ops team. And we didn’t know how many more police were going to come until the officer explained it to us.”

After the Special Operations Team arrived and Day Road was closed shortly before 5 p.m., members approached the home and began negotiations by loudspeaker, telling the suspects to surrender and come out, he said.

The road closure caused a headache for many people trying to get home; Day Road and Parkway Drive were closed for about an hour, Dizney said later.

Blanton said as the drama unfolded that the heavy police call-out and other steps all were in the name of everyone’s safety: “You know, trying to be as safe as we can for everybody involved. We’re still assessing the situation. We’ll put together a tactical plan (and) we’ll try to bring this to a successful, safe resolution shortly.”

After the SWAT team moved in, the two teens came out and were taken into custody without incident, Dizney said.