Date: April 21, 2024

Case #: 2024-00021461

Incident: Reckless driver eludes law enforcement, taken into custody on roof of Bend home

Date / Time of Incident: April 21, 2024 / 12:30 p.m.

Location: 20000 block of SW Sunny Way, Bend

Arrested: Nicholas Michael Wood, 42-year-old Idaho resident

Offenses: Assault II – 2 counts, Felony Hit & Run, Reckless Driving/Reckless Endangering (multiple counts – total number to be determined), Elude – Felony, Elude – Misdemeanor, DUII 

Bend Police took an Idaho man into custody after a long standoff on Sunday afternoon. 

At approximately 12:30 p.m., on Sunday, April 21, an off-duty Deschutes County Sheriff’s deputy called 911 to report a reckless driver traveling westbound on U.S. Highway 20 near Millican. The gold Toyota Sequoia was passing illegally, speeding, swerving and nearly causing crashes. 

An Oregon State Police trooper spotted the vehicle, and the trooper and a Deschutes County Sheriff’s deputy attempted a traffic stop. The driver, later identified as 42-year-old Nicholas Wood, eluded the deputy and trooper, who pursued the suspect vehicle but discontinued their pursuit before entering Bend. Deputies deployed a spike strip outside city limits, but were unsuccessful. 

The driver turned southbound on NE 27th Street, then westbound on Knott Road. Wood continued speeding, ultimately heading north on Brookswood Boulevard. Bend Police and Sheriff’s deputies staged in a variety of locations but did not pursue Wood. At approximately 1:08 p.m., a Bend Police officer successfully deployed spike strips, but Wood continued to drive recklessly northbound on Brookswood. He crossed into oncoming traffic and hit an approaching vehicle head-on. The two people in the vehicle Wood hit remain hospitalized at this time. 

Wood ran from his vehicle and at approximately 1:24 p.m., he climbed onto the roof of a detached garage in the 20000 block of SW Sunny Way. For approximately two hours, officers and deputies negotiated with Wood, to no avail. Officers and deputies then used multiple less-lethal options, including firing pepper balls containing chemical irritants and 40-millimeter less-lethal ammunition. Wood was taken into custody at approximately 3:39 p.m. 

Bend Police wish to thank the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and Oregon State Police for their assistance, as well as Bend Fire for providing a ladder truck to help remove Wood from the roof. 

Wood was transported to St. Charles Bend for evaluation, where he remains at this time. When released, he will be lodged at the Deschutes County Jail on the above offenses. 

During this incident, Brookswood Boulevard was closed between Murphy Road and Reed Market Road for several hours. 

Chief Mike Krantz’s Statement on the March 20, 2024 Officer-Involved Shooting

I would like to extend my gratitude to the Tri-County Major Incident Team and the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office, who, on March 20, 2024, led a rapid, transparent, and thorough investigation into an incident in which a Bend Police Officer used deadly force during an encounter with a member of our community. I also want to recognize the thorough and fair review of this investigation by the Deschutes County District Attorney's Office. The District Attorney's careful examination of the facts of this incident ensures that the process is fair and just for all involved. These agencies' commitment to justice and transparency is invaluable during events that have such a profound impact on those involved, as well as on our community.  

As with any loss of life, this incident has a devastating impact on Mr. Platz's family and friends. It will also have a life-changing impact on the police officers involved in this incident, on our Police Department, and on the community we serve. 

The use of deadly force is the most difficult and challenging decision a police officer will ever face in a career of protecting and serving the community. These decisions are made under incredibly challenging and stressful circumstances and often must be made in a split second. In this instance, Mr. Platz took his own life. At the same time, Officer Wes Murphy recognized a threat to himself as well as other police officers and community members and was found to be justified in his actions. 

The completion of the District Attorney's Office review brings to a close the criminal investigation required following these types of incidents. The Bend Police Department will now conduct an administrative review, which aims to assess whether officers adhered to department policies and procedures during the incident. 

While much of our Department's training focuses on reducing officers' reliance on force, our officers know that they will sometimes be faced with circumstances out of their control. As a learning agency, we will use the review to determine if departmentwide training or new equipment could make these instances even more rare. 

The Bend Police Department has a strong relationship of trust with our community, and force incidents involving police departments often impact those relationships. The Bend Police Department's commitment to serve and protect our community is unwavering, as is our commitment to fostering transparency and accountability while keeping our community's trust. 

My thoughts are with everyone affected by this incident, and I remain steadfast in ensuring our entire community knows that the Bend Police Department is committed to upholding their safety and well-being. 

The Bend Police Department encourages anyone who is experiencing a mental health crisis or knows of someone who may be experiencing a mental health crisis to call 988 or contact Deschutes County Behavioral Health at 541-322-7500 for assistance or referral to resources. 

Date: April 4, 2024

Case #: 2024-00018082

Incident: One arrested after altercation that results in burned trailer, stolen dog 

Date / Time of Incident: April 4, 2024 / 3:05 a.m. 

Location: Scandia Village RV Park, 700 block of NE Ross Road, Bend

Arrested: Edward Rene Bales, 54-year-old Bend resident
Offense: DUII

Arrested: Austin Jordan Stapleton, 26-year-old Bend resident 
Offenses: DUII, Assault IV, Arson I, Robbery III, Theft I and Burglary I

At 3:05 a.m. on Thursday, April 4, Bend Police officers responded to a report of a hazard at NE Third Street and Franklin Avenue. When officers arrived, they found 54-year-old Edward Rene Bales in a gray Dodge Ram 1500, blocking both northbound lanes of Third Street. 

An investigation determined that Bales and 26-year-old Austin Jordan Stapleton had been drinking together over the course of several hours, first in Redmond and then in Bend. While driving back to Bales’ home in the 700 block of NE Ross Road, the pair got into a physical altercation. Stapleton punched Bales in the face, took his house keys, and left on foot. Bales was taken into custody on suspicion of DUII, and officers attempted to locate Stapleton.

While Bales was in police custody and being processed for the DUII, Bend Police and Bend Fire were dispatched at approximately 4:47 a.m. to a report of an RV on fire in the Scandia Village RV Park. When officers arrived, they found Bales’ fifth-wheel trailer fully engulfed and threatening a neighboring trailer. Bend Fire was able to extinguish the fire and prevent damage to other structures. Bend Fire and Bend Police investigated the fire as arson. 

About a half hour later, at approximately 5:12 a.m., Deschutes County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of a DUII in the 51300 block of U.S. Highway 97 in La Pine. Responding deputies contacted Stapleton, who was driving a green GMC Yukon, and took him into custody on suspicion of DUII. Bales’ dog, Mojo, was in Stapleton’s vehicle at the time of the traffic stop. 

Stapleton was arrested by Bend Police on suspicion of DUII, fourth-degree assault, first-degree arson, third-degree robbery, first-degree theft and first-degree burglary. He was lodged at the Deschutes County Jail. 

The Bend Police Department and Oregon State Police are currently investigating a fatal motor vehicle accident that occurred in the southbound lanes of the Parkway (Hwy 97) at Reed Market (Exit 139). The Parkway will be closed for an extended period. Please avoid the area. Detours are in place. 

Date: March 26, 2024

Case #: 2024-00016396

Incident: Bend Police investigating burglary at Macy’s 

Date / Time of Incident: March 26, 2024 / 5:30 a.m. 

Location: Macy’s, 3188 N Highway 97, Bend

At approximately 5:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 26, Bend Police responded to a report of a burglary at Macy’s in the Bend River Promenade. 

An employee who received an alarm notification conducted a walk-through of the store and called Deschutes County 911 Dispatch to report the store appeared to have been burglarized. 

Officers found evidence of a forced entry on the east side of the building, with damage to the doors. Officers, including K9 Pluto and his handler, searched the building and found no one inside. 

In the store, police found 12 cash registers broken into with approximately $4,000 in cash removed. 

The investigation is ongoing.