Date: Aug. 31, 2026 
Case #s: 2026-00047773 
2026-00047732 
2026-00047736 
2026-00048155 
Incident: Bend man arrested in string of burglaries, car break-ins 
Arrested: James Thomas Tharp, Jr., 47-year-old Bend resident 
Offenses: Burglary I, Burglary II x4, Theft I, Theft II, Criminal Mischief I x6, Criminal Mischief II x4

At approximately 5 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 28, Bend Police officers responded to an alarm at High Time Vape and Smoke in the 2300 block of NE Division Street. A large rock had been thrown through the front door. Officers cleared the business and did not find anyone inside, but officers noted a display of vape cartridges appeared disturbed, as though someone had taken some of those items. 

About two hours later, at 7:20 a.m., officers responded to a report of an attempted burglary steps away at The Herb Center dispensary in the 2200 block of NE Division Street. Officers reviewed surveillance footage, which showed a man approach the front of the store at about 4:52 a.m. and throw a large chunk of asphalt at the business's window, causing damage. The suspect tried to break another window. The suspect could be seen dropping vape cartridges from his pocket onto the ground before fleeing without getting inside the business. The suspect was wearing a camouflage hooded sweatshirt, baggy pants and distinctive Nike shoes. 

At approximately 10:52 a.m. that same day, officers responded to a report of multiple vehicles being vandalized at a complex near NE Ross Road and Boyd Acres Road. Someone had used large lava rocks to break the windows of five vehicles parked in the area. Nothing was taken from the vehicles. 

At approximately 7:15 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 30, officers responded to a report of a burglary at Third Street Beverage in the 700 block of NE Third Street. The business had multiple broken windows, and damage to the automatic sliding door and sign. The suspect had taken cigarettes and socks from the store, and the front door damage alone was estimated at approximately $15,000. Surveillance footage showed the same suspect, wearing the same clothing as the prior break-ins, gain access to the liquor store around 2:20 a.m. 

Over the course of the investigation, officers identified the suspect in all of these incidents as 47-year-old James Thomas Tharp, Jr., and at around 8:49 a.m., officers located him wearing the same outfit as the suspect in the break-ins. Tharp had broken into an unoccupied home in the 300 block of NE Greeley Avenue and was staying there. Officers recovered $900 worth of cigarettes, as well as cigarette racks, socks, a hat and lighters from inside the home. That property was returned to Third Street Beverage.  

Tharp was arrested on suspicion of first-degree burglary, four counts of second-degree burglary, six counts of first-degree criminal mischief, four counts of second-degree criminal mischief, and one count each of first- and second-degree theft. He was transported to the Deschutes County Jail.