Redmond fugitive crashes and runs, caught nearby
A Redmond man wanted for felony parole violation ran from Deschutes County sheriff’s detectives late Monday afternoon, got in an SUV and crashed, then crawled out of the overturned vehicle and ran but was soon caught and arrested.
Sheriff’s Street Crimes Unit detectives were working around 5 p.m. in the 2200 block of Southwest 19th Street in Redmond, trying to locate Randy Lee Cooper, 25, who had an outstanding felony state warrant for parole violation, Sgt. William Bailey said.
Conducting surveillance on a vehicle associated with Cooper, detectives saw a white 2000 Ford Explorer arrive in the area, Bailey said.
Detectives saw Cooper walking in the area a short time later and tried to detain him, but he saw the plainclothes detectives approaching and ran to the SUV, got in the driver’s seat, put it in reverse and quickly began to back out to flee, the sergeant said.
After backing about 50 feet, Cooper abruptly turned the wheel and struck a curb, causing the Explorer to flip onto its top, Bailey said. He then got out through a broken passenger window and ran away toward the east.
A detective caught up with Cooper as he tried to climb a home’s fence and took him into custody, Bailey said. A search of the Explorer turned up a .22-caliber revolver.
Cooper was taken to St. Charles Redmond for evaluation of minor injuries from the crash, then taken to the county jail in Bend.
He was held without bail on the parole violation warrant and faces new charges of felon in possession of a firearm, felony methamphetamine possession, reckless endangering, misdemeanor attempt to elude, and second- and third-degree criminal trespass.
Court records show Cooper was arrested nearly a year ago on heroin and methamphetamine possession and for meth possession in 2016 as well. He was arrested twice in 2015 on DUII and reckless driving charges.
The sheriff’s office thanked Redmond police for their assistance and investigation of the crash.
The Sheriff’s Office Street Crimes Unit focuses enforcement on street-level drug cases and quality-of-life issues connected to property crimes throughout the county.
