Fleeing downtown Redmond burglary suspect caught

Several downtown Redmond business employees helped police catch a burglary suspect who fled a jewelry store on foot and by bicycle late Monday morning, officials said. Police said they recovered several stolen or possibly stolen items and released photos as their investigation continues.

Police were called to Satterlee Jewelry on Northwest Fir Avenue around 11:25 a.m. after workers found an unknown man in a restricted area of the store, Lt. Curtis Chambers said. The man left with two other people, a man and woman, when confronted by staff.

Officers found the three in the area of West Antler Avenue and Fifth Street, but when an officer tried to make contact, one man, later identified as Brett Running Bear Yahtin, 28, of Redmond, fled on a bicycle, Chambers said. The other two ran from the scene.

Officers gave chase, and with “significant help” from three downtown business workers, Yahtin was caught and arrested in the alley behind Kobold Brewing and Westside Taco Company, police said.

A downtown business employee alerted officers that the suspects tried to hide property from a backpack in some nearby landscaping, Chambers said. Police are working to determine ownership of the items, including two bicycles, two necklaces and other jewelry, as they believe they were stolen.

Yahtin was taken to the Deschutes County Jail on charges of second-degree burglary, second-degree criminal mischief, misdemeanor methamphetamine possession and two counts each of second-degree theft and second-degree criminal mischief. He was held on $37,500 bail.

The two other people who also ran eventually were contacted as well, but are not being identified because they have not been charged, according to police.

Chambers said Redmond police are “extremely appreciative of everyone who assist in locating the fleeing individuals.”

“It takes all of us to police a community,” the lieutenant wrote in a news release. “We are consistently humbled by your trust in us to work for you.”