Police investigate string of Bend, Redmond break-ins

Several Bend and Redmond businesses reported break-ins early Monday, and Bend police said at least two incidents on the north end of town are connected.

Around 1:15 a.m., Bend police responded to a business alarm at Harry Ritchie’s Jewelers at the Cascade Village Shopping Center on North Highway 97, said Sgt. Mike Landolt.

An investigation found some Citizen-brand watches and other items were taken during that burglary, he said.

Just eight minutes later, officers were called to another alarm, at nearby Smolich Volvo on Grandview Drive. In that case as well, a window was smashed out and items were taken, Landolt said.

“We believe these incidents are related,” Landolt said, adding that police are seeking a “vehicle of interest,” described as a silver or gray extended-cab pickup, similar to a Dodge.

Anyone with information about the crimes is asked to contact Bend police at the Deschutes County non-emergency dispatch number, 541-693-6911.

A sign on the door at the jewelry store said they had “limited availability” Monday due to the break-in, and to “please knock if urgent.”

Smolich Volvo General Manager Pat Brown said the Bend alarm prompted one of two calls he got overnight. At the Bend facility, car keys but no vehicles were taken. But there also was a break-in at the Smolich Used Car Center of Redmond, on South Highway 97 — and in that case, he said, a vehicle was stolen.

Meanwhile, a flatbed truck apparently was stolen from Bend’s Stone Company, on Jamison Road, also on Bend’s north end.

So far, police are not saying if those crimes also were connected.

But Brown said either way, it’s a troubling string of events.

“The disappointment of knowing there was somebody going through the town and breaking windows and stealing things,” he said. “It was a little disappointing, because it’s Bend. It’s a beautiful area. I’d like to think the crime rate is real low.”