Bend Police investigate alleged dump truck theft and hours-long joyride

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Bend Police are investigating after a dump truck worth more than half a million dollars was stolen from a job site and later recovered near Sisters.

According to police, officers received a call around 9 a.m. Monday, Feb. 16, from a man reporting that one of his company’s dump trucks had been stolen from a job site in the 61000 block of Bachelor View Road. Police told KTVZ, the owner used GPS tracking to follow the vehicle’s location, which showed it being driven for several hours before coming to a stop near Sisters.

Deputies with the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office assisted in locating the vehicle on a U.S. Forest Service road. Officers say the owner later took possession of the truck, which is valued at more than $500,000. It’s unclear whether any damage was done during the theft.

This facebook post shows the apparent route the suspect drove, but KTVZ has not confirmed that information at this time.

The case remains open. Investigators say the suspect could face charges of aggravated theft and unlawful use of a motor vehicle once identified.