Video, tips lead to arrest in Redmond thefts from cars

Tips from the public after NewsChannel 21 shared surveillance video led to a raid Sunday and the arrest of a 36-year-old northeast Redmond man on dozens of theft, burglary and other charges, accused of entering about 30 unlocked cars over two recent nights.

Jacob Austin Schunke, 36, was home at the time of the raid at 1449 NE Third St. and was taken into custody without incident, said Lt. Brad McMurrian.

Officers recovered a motorcycle stolen the same night as the latest break-ins and returned it to the owner, McMurrian said.

Police had been investigating several car break-ins and theft during the early morning hours of May 9 and 14, he said. They were linked by the methods used by the suspect, who was able to enter the victims’ unlocked cars and searched for valuables, including portable electronics, bank documents, money and weapons, the lieutenant said.

As part of the investigation, officers were able to recover surveillance video of a man committing the crimes.

On Friday, police released copies of the video to NewsChannel 21, which aired a Crime Stoppers story in which police asked for the public’s help in identifying the suspect, McMurrian said.

With the help of community members, officers were able to identify Schunke as the suspect, he said, leading to Sunday’s raid.

Schunke was lodged in the Deschutes County Jail in Bend on 29 counts of unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle, two counts of first-degree theft, seven counts of second-degree theft, four counts of second-degree criminal trespassing and one count each of first-degree burglary, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and second-degree criminal mischief. McMurrian said his bail totaled nearly $250,000.

With the investigation continuing, officers are still trying to find and recover more stolen property. McMurrian encouraged anyone with information to contact Redmond police at 541-504-3400 or through Deschutes County dispatch at 541-693-6911.

More charges are expected against Schunke, he added.

Police reminded community members to always lock their cars – and not to leave weapons, personally identifiable information (such as bank records or Social Security cards) or other valuables in their vehicles.

“The Redmond Police Department recognizes how important it is to partner with members of our community to make the safest community possible,” McMurrian wrote in a news release. “As such, we would like to thank community members and KTVZ NewsChannel 21 for their assistance with this investigation.”