Bend homeowner interrupts, chases burglary suspect

A northwest Bend resident who returned home to find a stranger inside Monday night was nearly struck by the fleeing suspect’s car, authorities said. He then gave chase, updating Deschutes County 911 dispatchers until sheriff’s deputies stopped the car and arrested the driver, recovering allegedly stolen property as well.

Deputies were sent shortly after 9 p.m. to a home in the 20000 block of Destiny Court off of O.B. Riley Road on a report of a burglary in progress, sheriff’s Sgt. Troy Gotchy said.

The homeowner told deputies he arrived home to find an unknown person in the house, Gotchy said. The victim called 911 and began to drive away, but as he was pulling around in his driveway, a white passenger car came from around from the back of the home, almost hitting his car.

The homeowner said he backed his car up, allowing the suspect’s vehicle to pass, Gotchy said. After the suspect’s car went by, the alleged victim followed it, giving updated locations to the 911 dispatcher.

Deputies were able to catch up to the suspect’s car and stopped the 1993 Dodge Sprint at the corner of Third Street and O.B. Riley Road. The driver, Robert Lee Tyson, 36, of Pocatello, Idaho, and a female passenger were detained at the scene without incident while deputies spoke with them.

During the investigation, several of the victim’s items were recovered from inside the car, the sergeant said.

Tyson was arrested on charges of first-degree burglary and aggravated theft (over $10,000 in value) and was booked into the county jail early Tuesday. Jail records also showed initial charges of second-degree criminal mischief and fourth-degree assault. Hie was held on $50,000 bail.

The female passenger was released without charges, but the suspect’s car was impounded for having no insurance, Gotchy said..