Tips bring arrest of Redmond domestic violence suspect

(Update: Suspect arrested; police credit citizen tips)

Citizen tips led to the arrest Friday night of a Redmond-area man wanted in a domestic violence case. accused of strangling his female partner at a downtown Redmond hotel earlier in the week — until she grabbed a pocketknife from his pocket and used it to stop the attack.

Ivan Blu Harmon, 23, was contacted and arrested shortly before 10 p.m. in the area of Northeast O’Neil Highway, near the Deschutes-Crook county line, Lt. Curtis Chambers said. He was arrested on outstanding arrest warrants and probable cause in the incident on Tuesday in Redmond.

The arrest came about 12 hours after the police department asked the public for tips and released photos of Harmon to assist in locating hin.

Harmon was arrested by the part-time Redmond Police Department Street Crimes Team, assisted by members of the Central Oregon CERT Team and Redmond Police K-9 Mavrick, Chambers said. He was to be booked into the Deschutes County Jail in Bend.

“The Redmond Police Department desires to thank everyone who provided information as to Harmon’s whereabouts,” Chambers said in the updated news relesae. “This arrest would not have been possible without your help.”

Chambers said the investigation was still ongoing, and more information was not immediately released. Harmon will be lodged at the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Adult Jail very soon.

The Redmond Police Street Crimes Team is made up of Redmond officers, detectives and sergeants “who work many extra hours, in addition to their normal patrol or investigative duties,” Chambers said.

The Street Crimes Team focuses on quality-of-life crimes, such as drug sales and drug-endangered children, theft, burglary and other crimes against persons. Chambers said the team’s efforts have resulted “resulted in holding many offenders accountable who do harm in the Redmond community.”

Sgt. Eric Beckwith said in an earlier news release that police responded on Tuesday to a room at the Sleep Inn & Suites on Northwest Sixth Street for a reported domestic violence incident.

It was reported a man and woman were in a physical dispute, and a knife purportedly was involved, he said.

Before police arrived, the male, Harmon ran from the scene after suffering a reported knife wound to his neck area, Beckwith said.

While some officers were searching for Harmon, others spoke with the victim. Beckwith said the investigation revealed Harmon attacked his female partner, strangling her severely and pulling out large clumps of her hair. He said the victim pulled a pocketknife from Harmon’s own pocket and used it to stop the attack.

Even after being cut with the knife, Harmon allegedly attempted to prevent the victim from fleeing the hotel room, as reported by witnesses.

During the investigation, it was also discovered the victim was suffering from several other injuries from prior attacks by Harmon over the past several months, the sergeant said.

A search by police did not find Harmon, despite efforts from several Central Oregon law enforcement agencies, including a BLM ranger and his K-9 partner, Kahr.

The dog tracked the suspect to the area of the Aspen Villa Apartments, at 933 Northwest Canal Boulevard in Redmond, where the track was lost.

Court records show Harmon was sentenced to 20 days in jail and two years probation in September on a methamphetamine delivery conviction, but other charges of meth possession and heroin possession and delivery were dismissed.

“Domestic violence is a serious problem in our society and will not be tolerated in Redmond,” Beckwith wrote. “The Redmond Police Department desires to support those individuals who find themselves living in a violent relationship. This is accomplished by equal and unbiased enforcement of Oregon law, aggressive domestic violence investigations, and referrals to community resources.

One such resource is Saving Grace, which says it “provides comprehensive family violence and sexual assault services and promotes the value of living life free from violence” They can be contacted by calling 541-389-7021. More information can be found at https://www.saving-grace.org/