DRW homeowner confronts early-morning intruder armed with knife, prompting ‘LOCK YOUR DOORS’ alert, arrest
(Update: Adding suspect's name, formal charges and arraignment)
All-clear came 13-minutes later; man faces a dozen charges
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Residents in the southwest corner of Deschutes River Woods awakened to a frightening alert from Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies early Sunday morning, warning them to “LOCK YOUR DOORS” due to a wanted man armed with a large, sheathed knife in the area.
But one homeowner already knew -- he was the one who alerted 911 dispatchers after the man entered his home.
The Deschutes Alert sent out at 1:09 a.m. also advised residents to “not contact or confront” the man, but to “call 911 if you notice anything suspicious.” He was described as a white male adult wearing a dark beanie, darked-colored shirt and jeans, “carrying a large knife in a sheath.”
An updated alert, sent out 13 minutes later, sounded the all-clear: “DCSO HAS THE SUSPECT IN CUSTODY. THERE IS NO LONGER ANY DANGER TO THE PUBLIC.”
Around 12:15 a.m., a resident in the 60100 block of Agate Road called 911 to report an unknown man had entered his home, holding a sheathed knife in his hand, Sergeant Chris Barringer said.
“The homeowner was able to get the male to leave his residence,” Barringer said in a news release. The resident had lost sight of him, but provided dispatchers with a detailed description.
Deputies, Bend Police and Oregon State Police headed to the area and set up a perimeter in an attempt to catch the suspect. Barringer said an “immediate action team” also was developed to apprehend the intruder when located.
The Deschutes Alert emergency phone network was used to inform residents of the armed subject, advising residents to shelter in place and contact 911 with any reports of suspicious activity.
A short time later, 911 began getting reports the man was seen walking through yards in the neighborhood. One homeowner – who was armed – challenged the man through her front door and provided dispatchers with an updated location, Barringer said.
Law enforcement responded to that location and took the 46-year-old man, Nicholas James Kendle, into custody without further incident, the sergeant said.
He was lodged in the county jail in Bend on a dozen charges, including one count of first-degree burglary, three counts of first-degree attempted burglary, two counts of attempted unlawful entry into a motor vehicle, one count of first-degree criminal trespass and five counts of second-degree criminal trespass. The investigation continues, Barringer said, and more charges are possible.
Kendle, listed in court files with a Turquoise Road address, was arraigned Monday afternoon on two felony charges of first- and second-degree burglary of homes on Agate Road and two misdemeanor charges of attempted criminal trespass, accused of trying to enter two homes on Turquoise Road. He's due back in court April 2 for arraignment on an expected indictment.
“The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank Bend PD and the Oregon State Police for their assistance in this matter,” Barringer added.
