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News Release
Pursuit and Attempted Assault - 12/11/17

Date: Monday, December 11, 2017

Case # 2017-380643

Date & Time of Incident: December 11th at 07:50 am

Type of Incident: Suspicious activity

Location of Incident: 610 SW Powerhouse; 2500 NE Neff (St. Charles-Bend)

Victims:

Multiple victims throughout Bend

Suspect:

Christopher Van Wambeke Ward 30 year old Bend resident

Narrative:

On December 11 at 7:50 am, Deschutes County 911 received information that an unidentified male was running around the area of the Old Mill District. The male had mentioned he was "stabbed" and had a non-life threatening injury to his leg. Bend Police Officers responded to the area and eventually found the male at the Round-a-Bout located on Reed Market and SW Bond. The male was identified as Christopher Van Wambeke Ward. Ward admitted the injury to his leg was self-inflicted. Based on the circumstances of this investigation, Ward was transported to St. Charles-Bend for evaluation.

Bend Police were on-scene at St. Charles Emergency Department with Ward, at which time Ward ran out of the emergency room. Ward ran through locked doors at the emergency department, ran under a fence and got into a Tomco Electric box style van. Ward stole the van and raced out of the parking area around St. Charles-Bend. Ward drove through a temporary fence in place for the construction at St. Charles-Bend. When Ward drove through the fence he caused damage to several vehicles belonging to employees at St. Charles-Bend.

As Ward was driving out of St. Charles parking lot, he nearly struck a Bend Police Officer with the vehicle.

During a search of the immediate area, Bend Officers located the stolen van and attempted to stop the van Ward was operating. Ward did not yield to officers and drove in an erratic and treacherous manner, putting several community members at risk. Bend Police discontinued the pursuit of the vehicle but set up in areas where Ward has been known to frequent.

Deschutes County 911 received several driving complaints from concerned citizens regarding the van Ward was operating. Ward caused damage to the property at 61691 SE 27th Street (Church of Christ) during this time.

Shortly after Ward eluded officers, he was located within the perimeter where Bend Police had been set up. Ward again eluded Bend Police and eventually parked the stolen van in a business on American Loop. Ward attempted to steal a second vehicle (a red Subaru), but eventually left the vehicle without stealing it.

Ward walked west on Reed Market, crossed the empty canal and entered a third vehicle. This residence is located in the 600 block of SE Reed Market. Bend Police, Deschutes County Sheriff's Office and the Oregon State Police made contact with Ward inside this vehicle. Ward was taken into custody without incident at 12:45pm.

Silver Rail Elementary School was placed on a brief "Lockout" during this incident.

Ward was taken back to St. Charles for clearance as he sustained new non-life threatening injuries. Ward was transported to the Deschutes County Jail at 4:30pm and lodged on Attempt to Elude in a Vehicle (2 counts), Attempted Assault 1 on a Public Safety Officer, Reckless Driving (2 counts), Criminal Mischief 1, Unlawful Use of a Motor Vehicle, Unlawful Entry into a Motor Vehicle, Failure to Perform the Duties of a Driver, Criminal Trespass II.




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