Transient brothers arrested in Bend RV burglaries

(Update to add to ‘most discussed’ list)

Two transient brothers have been arrested on burglary, theft and other charges, accused of entering over a dozen unlocked RVs at a dealer on Bend’s north end and stealing items from them, police said Tuesday.

An officer responded on Saturday to Big Country RV, 63500 N. Highway 97, on a report that several RVs had been broken into during the night, said Sgt. Todd Fletcher. The officer learned that 17 RVs had been entered.

Another officer responded Monday to another theft report at the dealership, Fletcher said.

During the investigation, a nearby transient camp was located and evidence of the thefts and burglaries were found.

More investigation led to evidence that found Larry Edward Clarke, 21, and Justin Aaron Clarke, 18, had been camping in the area and were involved in both incidents, Fletcher said.

The two men were booked into the Deschutes County Jail on 17 counts of first-degree burglary, two counts of second-degree theft and one count each of first-degree criminal mischief and unlawful entry into a motor vehicle.

Both remained jailed Tuesday on more than $450,000 bail, though Larry Clarke was being held without bail on a parole violation.

Fletcher told NewsChannel 21 that “unlocked RVs were the only ones entered.” He declined to detail the items that were stolen “at this time due to the ongoing investigation.”

Fletcher said the incident remains under investigation, and more charges could be added. Anyone with information about the case was asked to contact Bend police at (541) 693-6911.