Redmond Police ID two suspects in recent string of business, vehicle thefts; thank citizens for tips

(Update: Tips help police ID theft suspects, now being sought in their hometowns)

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Two days after Redmond Police released photos of a man and woman suspected in a string of recent thefts at and around four businesses, officers said Thursday “a large number” of community tips have led to their identification -- and hopefully soon, the capture of the pair, who are from outside the area.

Police had released four suspect photos and one of a vehicle Tuesday in hopes the public could help them find a man and woman believed to have committed several thefts from at least four Redmond businesses and vehicles in their parking lots over a 48-hour period early last week.

"The identification is a result of a large number of positive responses from the community," Lt. Eric Beckwith said in Thursday's update.

"The suspects do not reside in the Tri-County area, and we are currently working with their hometown jurisdictions to apprehend (them)," he said.

"The Police Department would like to express gratitude to those who assisted with the identifications," he added.    

The suspects' names were not released. "We have been asked not to say where they are from as it's worked on to get them into custody," Beckwith explained to NewsChannel 21. 

The pair are believed to have committed thefts at the Redmond Walmart, Texaco, Wilco Farm Store and Rite Aid between Sunday, March 17 and Tuesday, March 19, Beckwith said earlier this week.

Before or after they victimized those businesses, the suspects also broke into vehicles in their parking lots, Beckwith said. They have been spotted in a red passenger car with a luggage rack on top, and a photo of that vehicle also was released.

The pair also are being sought for ID theft, as Beckwith said they used a credit card stolen from a vehicle to make purchases at a neighboring business.

The Walmart theft was in the evening/nighttime, while the others were committed during daylight hours, the lieutenant said. He also noted the pair showed no weapons, made no threats and no injuries were reported.

Most of the thefts would be along the lines of shoplifting and were discovered after the pair had moved on. While the four theft locations are confirmed to be linked to the suspects, a few others are “probably related,” Beckwith said.

Redmond Police investigators issued an ATL (attempt to locate) to other nearby law enforcement agencies, but no similar thefts have been uncovered so far.

Beckwith said Tuesday there was a “good chance” the pair are from outside of the area, or they likely would have been identified fairly quickly.

“We’re hoping somebody recognized them, or know them,” the lieutenant said.

Police haven’t said if the burglarized vehicles were locked, but Beckwith said in a news release: “The Redmond Police Department would like to remind citizens to hide or secure valuables and double-check the doors of the vehicle are locked when parked.”

Anyone with information about the two individuals was asked to contact Redmond Police through Deschutes County non-emergency dispatch at 541-693-6911.