UPDATE: Bend Police, CERT Team raid three homes, arrest eight people in Ponderosa Park holdup, pistol-whipping
(Update: Police make eight arrests in robbery, assault at Ponderosa Park in late Septemberl)
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- An armed robbery and pistol-whipping by a masked man at Ponderosa Park in late September led to three coordinated raids in Bend on Tuesday and the arrest of eight young people on robbery, bias crime and other charges.
Bend Police detectives and the Central Oregon Emergency Response Team (CERT) served search warrants Tuesday morning at three locations associated with the suspects: an apartment in the 1600 block of NW Portland Avenue, a home in the 400 block of SE Wildcat Drive, and an apartment in the 1300 block of NE Purcell Avenue, Bend Police Communications Manager Sheila Miller said.
The five males and three females, ages 17 to 23, were arrested at those and other locations on Tuesday, Miller said.
KTVZ News encountered the Wildcat Drive raid while it was underway and livestreamed video from the scene on KTVZ+.
The investigation began in the early-morning hours of Monday, Sept. 29. Miller said officers responded shortly before 2 a.m. to Ponderosa Park on SE 15th Street on a report someone had been robbed at gunpoint.
Miller said an investigation determined that the victim, a 27-year-old Bend man, got into an argument with some friends as they were traveling back from the Eugene area.
When they arrived at Ponderosa Park, a man in a ski mask approached the vehicle and pointed a gun at him, then pistol-whipped him and took the victim's property, including guns and prescription drugs, from his vehicle. Miller told KTVZ News the victim's injuries were not life-threatening,
Over the next several weeks, detectives and patrol officers identified several people allegedly involved in the armed robbery, Miller said, telling KTVZ News they "are all acquaintances."
Seven of the eight people arrested are charged with first-degree robbery, while five face charges of first-degree bias crime. A 19-year-old male also was charged with second-degree assault, first-degree menacing and unlawful use of a weapon. Six of the eight are charged with criminal conspiracy. Seven of the eight are Bend residents, police said, while a 19-year-old female is from La Pine.
Those suspects 18 and over were taken to the county jail, she said, and those under 18 to the county's Juvenile Justice facility.
"Additional charges and additional arrests may be forthcoming in this case," Miller said.
She told us that police did not make public the attack immediately afterward because they were were pursuing suspects in the case.
Earlier story:
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ-Tuesday, 11:15 a.m.) – Bend Police executed multiple search warrants Tuesday morning as part of an active investigation that could lead to arrests, a department spokesperson confirmed to KTVZ News.
A KTVZ News crew was on scene at SE Tempest Drive and Wildcat Drive, near Ponderosa Park, where more than a dozen officers surrounded a home—using flash bangs, drones, and a bullhorn to order someone out.
Neighbors told our photojournalist the person who emerged did not appear to be the one officers were seeking. After repeated warnings, police used a ram to force entry into the home, but did not take anyone into custody.
They did appear to take several items from the house, likely associated with the search warrant and investigation. About 10 officers in full tactical gear and three in standard Bend Police uniforms packed up and left shortly after.
Police have not released details about the scope of the investigation, but say more information is expected later today. KTVZ News will continue to stay on scene and provide updates as this situation develops.
