Redmond, OR - The Redmond Police Department's (RPD) newly acquired drones played a key role in the arrest of two theft suspects early Tuesday morning after a caller reported a burglary in progress. 

At approximately 5:30 a.m. on September 29, 2026, a community member called 9-1-1 to report a theft underway at Coastal Farm and Ranch Supply, 3141 S Highway 97. The caller told dispatchers that a man and a woman were leaving the area eastbound with wheelbarrows full of items. 

RPD officers immediately responded to the area and set up a perimeter.  Officers also deployed drones to find and track the suspects, who fled east on foot and on stolen motorcycles into the undeveloped area east of the 2000 block of NW 6th Street. An officer caught the male suspect after a short foot chase. Meanwhile, the drones spotted the female suspect hiding in the brush after she abandoned a stolen motorcycle, allowing officers to take her into custody.

The male suspect, a 41-year-old, Redmond resident, was arrested for on Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle x3, Criminal Trespass II, Theft 1, and Burglary II, Possession of Burglary Tools, a Warrant, and Resisting Arrest.  The female suspect, a 32-year-old, Redmond resident, was arrested for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle x3, Criminal Trespass II, Theft 1, and Burglary II.   

Both suspects were lodged at the Deschutes County Adult Jail.   

Over $3000 worth of stolen items were recovered during the arrest.

RPD’s goal is to make Redmond the safest city possible by enhancing patrol operations utilizing tools of technology to assist in the day-to-day operations and covering difficult areas of Redmond, like the undeveloped land where these suspects were located.  Drones are among the valuable tools which provide quicker and safer response to calls in these difficult, undeveloped areas of Redmond.   

RPD would like to thank the citizen who called the theft in progress and reminds citizens to call if they see anything suspicious.