Redmond PD: Woman who escaped cuffs, patrol car arrested

A woman who gave Redmond police a false name during a weekend traffic stop was arrested, handcuffed and put in the back of a patrol car. But officers said she managed to free herself of the cuffs, get out and run, prompting an extensive but futile initial search and her eventual arrest Monday.

An officer pulled over a Pontiac Grand Prix driven by Citlali Hernandez, 27, of the Bend-Redmond area, on Saturday around 3:30 p.m. for a traffic violation (improper display of valid car registration stickers) near the intersection of Northwest Sixth Street and Hemlock Avenue, Lt. Curtis Chambers said.

During the stop, Hernandez allegedly gave a false name to officers, Chambers said. She was detained, placed in handcuffs and put in the back of a patrol car while officers worked to learn her true identity.

Hernandez, meanwhile, managed to free herself from the handcuffs and was able to open the patrol car door and run away, the lieutenant said Several bystanders gave officers information about the direction she was last seen running.

Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies responded to assist and a Bend police drone also was called to help with the search for the woman, whom investigators later identified as Hernandez.

Redmond police contacted Hernandez on Monday at her Redmond workplace and arrested her without incident. She was booked into the county jail on two counts of giving false information to police, along with third-degree theft, third-degree escape, resisting arrest and a probation violation. Her bail totaled $37,500.

The theft charge stems from Hernandez taking the officer’s handcuffs with her when she escaped, Chambers said.

“A thorough investigation into the manner of Hernandez’s escape from the rear of a patrol vehicle, which was equipped with a cage and bars on the windows, is underway,” the lieutenant said.

“The Redmond Police Department will review all available information to identify factors which led to the escape from custody and work to ensure this type of incident does not happen again,” he added.

Redmond police thanked the sheriff’s office and Bend police for their help, as well as several residents who provided information.