DRW manhunt fails to locate fugitive

A Bend man wanted on a statewide felony arrest warrant for probation violation escaped a manhunt in Deschutes River Woods after an incident early Sunday evening he apparently was involved in, Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies said.

Around 5 p.m., a deputy responded to the area of Baker Road and Brookswood Boulevard after a call on a civil matter involving a vehicle, said Lt. Paul Garrison.

As the deputy arrived, he learned the parties involved were now at the Deschutes Mobile Home Park at 60311 Cheyenne Road and that a dispute over the vehicle had occurred, Garrison said.

It was initially reported a knife might have been involved in the dispute, he said, but deputies learned the vehicle owner had actually used a knife to deflate a tire.

More deputies responded to the area to help on the call and eventually determined one of those involved in the dispute was Christopher Lee Edlefsen, 27, who had fled the scene, Garrison said.

A check by dispatchers determined he had an outstanding statewide felony arrest warrant for violating probation for unlawful use of a vehicle and felon in possession of a weapon.

Through witness statements, deputies believed Elefsen had run to the south of the mobile home park. Other witnesses said he was seen on Navajo Road, where he had stopped and asked to use a phone but was unsuccessful.

Oregon State Police helped deputies conduct an extension search of Cheyenne, Comanche, Cherokee, Navajo and Hop roads in an attempt to find Edlefsen, but were unsuccessful.

Eldefsen was described as 5-foot-8 and 150 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes, Garrison said. He last was seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and black pants.

He is also on the county’s current Parole and Probation “Most Wanted List.”

Citizens who have information that could lead to Edlefsen’s arrest were asked to contact Deschutes County dispatchers at 541-693-6911.