Teen caught in thefts from Redmond cars; others elude manhunt

(Update: Adding dashcam video, resident’s comment)

A manhunt overnight in southwest Redmond for teens allegedly entering unlocked cars and stealing items led to the arrest of a 17-year-old Madras resident, but police said they believe a couple of other suspects eluded capture.

A call to Deschutes County 911 just after midnight brought police to the area of Southwest 35th Street and Pumice Avenue, near Hayden Park, Sgt. Al Fraker said.

Officers who responded to the area saw at least three teens running away, some jumping over fences, Fraker said.

Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies and Bend police, including K-9 teams, helped in the search. A resident driving through the area, Joe Aguilera, said officers had some roads blocked off and some had their rifles out during the manhunt operation.

“I don’t know what to think when that happens,” Aguilera said. “You don’t expect cops at 1:30 in the morning to be in the middle of Redmond with rifles and everything. It’s unreal. Not something you’d expect growing up here.”

Fraker said the Madras teen was booked into the Deschutes County Juvenile Facility on charges of theft and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

At least four victims had been found by Sunday morning — all of whom had left their cars unlocked – and Fraker said a fifth possible victim had called in.

“I’m guessing we’ll have more as we hear from people waking up” Sunday and finding items taken from their cars, Fraker said.

The sergeant said Redmond police wanted to thank the sheriff’s office and Bend police for their assistance in the search for suspects.

Fraker also urged residents to “protect yourself from being a victim — lock your car doors.” He said in his experience, “99 out of 100” victims of thefts from cars had left them unlocked.