Redmond manhunt: Fugitive found hiding in garage

A 30-year-old fugitive was spotted at a home in southwest Redmond Thursday but ran just before police arrived, prompting an extensive manhunt that found him hiding in a garage, police said.

Detectives received information around 11:30 a.m. that Blair Jay Vega was at a home in the area of Southwest 20 th Street and Timber Avenue in Redmond, said Sgt. Brad McMurrian. Detectives went there, only to learn he ran away just before they arrived.

Police patrol officers and detectives conducted an extensive search of the area, including K-9 Arco. After a brief time, they determined he likely was hiding in a home at 2559 20 th Street, McMurrian said.

Detectives obtained consent to search the home and found Vega hiding inside the garage. McMurrian said, adding that two people in the home at the time said they didn’t know Vega and were unaware he was there.

It’s believed Vega entered the home through an unlocked back door, McMurrian said, adding that he possessed a spring-assisted knife at the time of his arrest.

Vega was taken to the Deschutes County Jail, where he was held without bail on a parole violation charge. He also faces two new charges — first-degree criminal trespass and felon in possession of a restricted weapon — both Class A misdemeanors.