DCSO: Madras man caught during manhunt for murder suspect stole car, shot at woman
(Update: DCSO releases more details on Cross's alleged crimes)
Man with her in pickup also arrested; murder victim identified
TERREBONNE, Ore. (KTVZ) – A Madras man caught during a manhunt that also captured a Madras murder suspect shot at a Redmond woman as he stole her boyfriend’s pickup and later entered a home and pointed a gun at the homeowner, who locked herself in a bathroom with her kids, authorities said.
Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies released more details Tuesday about the events leading up to Monday’s chase, crash and manhunt east of Smith Rock that led to the arrest of Thomas David Cross, and Jenna Rae Campbell, both 21.
Sgt. Jayson Janes said detectives learned that Thomas stole the Ford Ranger pickup that later was found crashed and abandoned, triggering the manhunt for both occupants.
The girlfriend of the pickup’s owner had spotted the pair in the pickup and believed something was wrong, since her boyfriend wasn’t in it, Janes said.
The woman used her vehicle in an attempt to block the pickup on a dirt road. She told authorities that Cross shot at her after she blocked him in.
Detectives found in the subsequent investigation that Campbell had illegally entered an occupied home in the 4000 block of Northeast Vaughn Avenue, east of Terrebonne and Smith Rock, Janes said.
Campbell pointed a gun at the homeowner inside, but the woman was able to get away and lock herself and her children in a bathroom.
Campbell then left the home and tried to steal a vehicle in the driveway. Deputies found him inside the vehicle and took him into custody without incident.
Deputies searched the area and found two guns, one of which had been reported stolen in Redmond, Janes said.
Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies responded shortly before 11 a.m. Wednesday to the shooting report, Janes said.
The caller also identified the two suspects: Campbell, wanted on the second-degree murder warrant out of Jefferson County, and Cross, who had a warrant out for parole violation.
A deputy spotted the stolen pickup in the area of Northeast 33rd Street and O’Neil Highway, Janes said. He tried to stop the truck, but the driver refused to stop.
The deputy pursued the pickup for a short distance, but discontinued the chase approaching a construction zone, due to safety concerns for the public, Janes said.
The deputy found the unoccupied pickup after it crashed in the area of Northeast Wilcox Avenue and Lambert Road, the sergeant said.
Law enforcement from several agencies established a search perimeter in the area, reportedly including several K-9 tracking teams and a plane.
Cross was found walking down a nearby road and taken into custody without further incident, Janes said.
Campbell was spotted running in the area of Vaughn Avenue and later entered an unoccupied home on Vaughn Road, Janes said. She, too, was later taken into custody.
Janes said both suspects were turned over to detectives from the Tri-County Major Incident Team. The investigation remains active and no other details were released.
Campbell was booked into the Jefferson County Jail and held on $1 million bail on a second-degree murder charge, as well as probation violation for methamphetamine possession out of Crook County, jail records showed.
Cross was booked into the Deschutes County Jail in Bend and held without bail on parole and probation violations. He also faces charges of second-degree assault, felon in possession of a weapon, first-degree robbery, first-degree menacing, unlawful use of a weapon, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and second-degree theft.
Jefferson County District Attorney Steve Leriche identified the homicide victim Monday as Doretta Sammons, also known as Doretta Smith, who was shot and killed last Wednesday night at a home on Southwest First Street in Madras.
A nationwide arrest warrant had been issued and second-degree murder charges filed against Campbell, who authorities warned the public was believed to be armed and might have been fleeing to Mexico.
Asked about the sheriff’s office policies for continuing or calling off pursuits, Lt. William Bailey told NewsChannel 21 at the scene, "We're always evaluating the safety of the public and risk to the public, compared to what we're trying to stop the vehicle for.
"And in this case, there was some construction in the area -- and there was some bad driving," Bailey said. "the deputy made the right decision at that moment to discontinue pursuing the subject vehicle."
Leriche thanked Madras, Warm Springs and Redmond police, Jefferson and Deschutes County sheriff's deputies and Oregon State Police "for their tireless work to accomplish this arrest."
