Prineville theft suspect caught after tips, brief chase

Citizen tips and a brief chase on foot led to the arrest Monday evening of a 46-year-old Prineville man accused of thefts from several Prineville-area businesses over a four-day period, police said Tuesday.

Donovan Lee Adkins, 46, was spotted around 6:45 p.m. in the area of Northwest Deer and Third Streets after being identified as a suspect in thefts from several local businesses, including Prineville Men’s Wear, Wiles said.

As officers approached and advised Adkins he was under arrest, he ran a short distance before complying with officers, the sergeant said. Crook County sheriff’s deputies assisted in his apprehension.

Wiles said in a news release police “would like to thank the community members who provided assistance with tips that led to the arrest.”

Prineville police credited tips received after a posting earlier Monday on their Facebook page, noting they “acted so fast in identifying and locating this subject, we were able to arrest him while he was wearing the stolen property.”

Adkins was taken to the Deschutes County Jail due to lack of space at the Crook County Jail. Wiles said he will face three counts of third-degree theft, third-degree escape and a Deschutes County felony warrant for probation violation. He was being held without bail on the latter charge, according to jail records.