Madras police seek tips to find pair of teen runaways

Madras police turned to the public for tips Wednesday to help find a pair of teen runaways who left with less than $150 and may be in California and heading to Arizona.

Thomas Cross, 17, and girlfriend Melissa Clendenen, 16, were reported as runaways on May 25, said Detective Mel Brown.

Since then, the two have had limited to no cellphone use and are not accessing their social media accounts, Brown said.

The teens likely have left Oregon, as “information has been provided to law enforcement that the two hitchhiked to Lodi, California, with intentions of traveling to Tucson, Arizona,” Brown said in a news release.

There was a possible sighting of the pair in Phoenix, Arizona, but that could not be confirmed he added.

“The families of the two are very concerned for their safety,” the detective said.

Cross is described as 6 feet tall and 260 pounds, with light brown hair and blue eyes. Clendenen is 5-foot-8 and 185 pounds, also with light brown hair and blue eyes.

Anyone with information regarding the location of either teen is asked to call their local police agency or Detective Mel Brown at 541-475-2424.