Bend PD link three men to string of vehicle thefts

Two Bend residents arrested after a high-speed pursuit of a stolen car late last month are among three men who police said Thursday were involved in the thefts of four four-wheelers, a motorcycle, pickup, bicycle and gun around the city in recent weeks.

All have since been recovered, but police are still seeking more information from the public in the cases.

The case actually began a day before the August 26 th chase, when Bend police learned a red 1998 Chevy Camaro had been stolen from High Desert Auto Group at 1801 NE Division Street at some point over the previous two days, said Lt. Nick Parker.

The investigating officer also learned that another Bend police officer had contacted Brian Cornell Magness, 26, the previous day in possession of that car, when he was cited for methamphetamine possession, Parker said. But the car had not yet been reported stolen.

Shortly before 1 p.m. on August 26 th, Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies spotted and got into a pursuit of the stolen car in the Redmond area, where the driver, later identified as Robert Hugh Hansen, refused to pull over. Redmond, Bend and Oregon State Police also joined in that pursuit, which reached speeds of about 80 mph but was called off after about eight minutes due to traffic.

The car soon was found abandoned east of Deschutes Junction, between Redmond and Bend. A perimeter was set and sheriff’s Deputy Doug Jackson and K-9 partner Duco tracked down both men as they tried to hide.

Only Hansen was identified publicly by police at the time, and Magness apparently was released. He had been arrested on August 6th on theft and meth possession charges and released on August 12th after posting 10 percent of his $40,000 bail, jail records showed.

Hansen remains lodged at the county jail in Bend, initially held without bail on a probation violation but also facing other charges in connection with the chase – and many others since, as the investigation unfolded.

Since then, Bend police have connected the two men to other recent vehicle and weapons thefts, as well as a third suspect identified as Robert Matthew Stenkamp, 39, also of Bend, who Parker said had “some involvement” in the crimes.

Neither Magness nor Stenkamp are in custody, as they await formal charging, the lieutenant added.

Jail records showed Stenkamp was jailed last November on charges of resisting arrest, harassment and interfering with a police officer.

The string of recent thefts linked to the men began on August 15 th , when three four-wheelers – a 2014 Polaris Ranger, a 2009 Yamaha 90 Raptor and a Can-Am DS90X – were stolen on NE Webster Avenue, Parker said. All have since been recovered.

On August 23 rd , a 2005 BMW Enduro motorcycle was stolen on NW Hill Street, and it too was recovered. That same day, a 1992 Nissan pickup with a bicycle in the truck bed was stolen on NE Division Street. Both were later recovered, though the truck was damaged during the theft, Parker said. Hansen is charged in that case.

The next day, August 24 th , a 2006 Yamaha Raptor 700 four-wheeler, a 2001 Yamaha YZF 426 motorcycle and a 2002 Yamaha YZ250 motorcycle were stolen, and again, all have been recovered during the follow-up investigation. Hansen faces charges in that case as well.

A .22 North American Arms gun was stolen from a vehicle parked on Northeast Second Street, and that also was recovered by officers. Stenkamp and Hansen are awaiting charging in that case.

Police outlined several charges in connection with the crimes, including theft, burglary, car theft, felon in possession of a firearm, meth possession, criminal mischief, and felony and misdemeanor criminal conspiracy.

As the investigation continues, anyone with information is asked to contact Bend police Officer Wes Murphy at 541-693-6911.