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Date/Time: 12/10/2017 at 1:56 p.m.
Location: NW Birch Ave./NW 4th St.- Redmond
Prepared by: Lt. Mike Biondi
Vehicle involved: red 1996 Nissan pickup
Driver: Morkert, Dean F. - 46 year old male - Redmond, Oregon
Charges: Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle
Bail: $10,000
Passenger: Higbee, Amber E. - 48 year old female - Redmond, Oregon
Charges: Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle
Cited and released at scene
Additional arrested subject: Leeper, Garrett V. 25 year old male - Redmond, Oregon
Charges: Warrant for probation violation for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle
Bail: None
On 12/10/2017 at 1:56 p.m., a Deschutes County Deputy observed the above listed vehicle and attempted to stop it for a traffic violation. The driver (Morkert) avoided the deputy and attempted to hide the Nissan in an alley near the listed location. The deputy located the pickup just as Morkert was walking away from it.
Upon seeing the deputy, Morkert fled on foot northbound from the alley, crossing through yards in the neighborhood. Additional deputies and officers from the Redmond Police Department responded to the area to assist in locating Morkert. During this time it was determined the vehicle Morkert was driving was stolen out of Gresham in November of 2017. A K9 was requested and Deputy Johnson and his partner Ezel responded to assist.
Higbee was also seen walking away from the pickup and was later contacted by deputies.
It was learned that Morkert might be headed to Higbee's address on N. Canal Blvd. A Redmond Police Officer observed a male fitting Morkert's description enter the residence. Higbee advised she didn't know who was inside her house and requested it be searched by law enforcement.
Multiple deputies and officers responded to Higbee's address. After numerous attempts by deputies at the scene to get Morkert to come out, K9 Ezel was utilized to bark and announce his presence. Upon hearing Ezel's barking and after being told he was going to utilized to search the residence, Leeper exited the residence without incident. Morkert also exited a short time later without incident.
Both Morkert and Leeper were lodged at the Deschutes County Jail. Higbee was cited and released. Leeper was not charged in the theft of the Nissan pickup.