DCSO deputies interrupt burglary in progress at La Pine home; 3 suspects arrested, one with the help of K-9’s bite

La PINE, Ore. (KTVZ) – Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies interrupted a burglary in progress at a La Pine home Friday evening and arrested one suspect as he tried to drive away, a second after deputies breached the front door and a third - the first suspect's mother - found hiding under a pile of clothes, with the help of a K-9’s bite.

Deputies responded just after 7 p.m. Friday to the report of a burglary in the 51000 block of Ash Road, Sergeant Joshua Barker said.

They arrived to learn there were several suspects in the home and that the burglary was still in progress, as items were being removed and taken to a vehicle in the driveway.

Deputies were able to set up a perimeter around the property, with help from Oregon State Police troopers, Barker said.

A 30-year-old La Pine man was taken into custody in a traffic stop as he left the driveway and tried to drive away, the sergeant said.

Deputies determined there were still two other suspects in the home, later identified as a 48-year-old woman (the 30-year-old's mother) and a 42-year-old man, both also from La Pine.

DCSO K-9 Vinnie and his partner, Deputy Nathan Witherspoon, were called to the scene as the house was surrounded and announcements were made, calling for the suspects to come out and surrender, with no response.

Deputies ultimately were able to breach the front door and take the 42-year-old man into custody without incident, Barker said.

The announcements into the home continued, with no response, so K-9 Vinnie and partner were sent inside to search for the third suspect.

The K-9 ultimately found the woman, who was non-compliant and hiding under a pile of clothing, Barker said. She was captured and bitten by K-9 Vinnie, then taken into custody by deputies.

The woman was evaluated by medical personnel as a result of the dog bite. All three suspects were taken to the county jail in Bend and lodged on first-degree charges of burglary and criminal trespass. All three remained held without bail early Sunday pending arraignment, jail records showed.

The three suspects were not associated with the home, which was unoccupied at the time, Barker said. He declined to provide further details, citing the active investigation, but said the incident lasted two hours or less.

"There were no road closures or shelter-in-place warnings (to neighbors), as we had the incident contained to the property," Barker told NewsChannel 21. 

NewsChannel 21 policy is not to name arrested individuals until and unless formal charges are filed.

"The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Oregon State Police for their assistance during this investigation," Barker said in a news release.