DRUG ARREST COINCIDES WITH MAJOR CENTRAL OREGON KIDNAPPING INVESTIGATION (Photo) - 08/14/26
Redmond, OR – The Central Oregon Drug Enforcement (CODE) team and Redmond Police Department Street Crimes Unit (RPD SCU), conducted a short-term investigation that resulted in three people being charged in State Court for alleged methamphetamine and firearm charges. One of the individuals involved faces additional crimes of Kidnapping, Assault, and Unlawful Use of a Weapon that occurred in Deschutes County, and resulted in the activation of the Central Oregon MIT (Major Incident Team) and CERT (Central Oregon Emergency Response Team).
CODE
A short-term investigation conducted by the Redmond Police Department Street Crimes Unit concluded in Jefferson County and resulted in the seizure of a firearm and a substantial amount of methamphetamine.
During this investigation, RPD Detectives received information that Jeffrey Patton, a 51-year-old Redmond resident, was returning from the Portland area. RPD SCU Detectives requested the assistance of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and Detectives from the CODE team in locating Jeffrey Patton upon his return to Central Oregon.
A vehicle of interest in the investigation was identified by Detectives and a subsequent traffic stop was conducted by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. Thomas Dopp, a 57-year-old, Redmond resident, was identified as the driver of the vehicle and Jeffrey Patton was the passenger. During the traffic stop, CODE K9 Dozer was deployed to the exterior of the vehicle and alerted to the presence of controlled substances.
RPD was granted a search warrant as a result of the investigation which resulted in the seizure of a firearm and more than two pounds of suspected methamphetamine. Thomas Dopp and Jeffrey Patton were lodged at the Jefferson County Adult Jail on firearm, drug possession and delivery charges.
In working with RPD SCU detectives, CODE identified a third adult male, Efram Palafox, a 41 year-old, Bend resident, as an associate of Jeffrey Patton. Following the arrest of Jeffrey Patton and Thomas Dopp, CODE detectives began preparing a search warrant for a residence associated with Efram Palafox on Powell Butte Highway.
Prior to the warrant being authorized, CODE obtained information of a possible weapon offense and assault involving Efram Palafox. As CODE Detectives obtained evidence about the additional crimes, the Central Oregon Major Incident Team (MIT) was activated to assist with RPD leading the investigation. Due to the nature of the investigation involving weapons and an assault, CODE requested assistance from CERT for the execution of the warrant on Efram Palafox’s residence.
During the investigation, Efram Palafox was located in the area of NE Butler Market Road and NE 27th Street, in Bend, OR, and was taken into custody without incident. Efram Palafox was found in possession of a substantial amount of methamphetamine and an undisclosed amount of US Currency. The CODE warrant was executed on Efram Palafox’s residence on Powell Butte Highway on August 12, 2026.
Following the execution of the search warrant at Efram Palafox’s residence, additional charges for possession of cocaine and seven counts of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person were added to Efram Palafox’s charges and he was lodged at the Deschutes County Adult Jail.
MIT
On August 12, 2026, at approximately 0938 hours, an adult male was reported missing by his daughter where he was last seen on August 11, 2026, at approximately 11:30 p.m. at St. Charles Medical Center in Redmond, Oregon. RPD detectives recovered surveillance video from St. Charles that identified Efram Palafox being last seen with the missing adult male. The ongoing investigation led to information that corroborated that the missing adult male was forced to leave the location against his will. This information prompted the activation of the Central Oregon Major Incident Team (MIT).
The MIT assisted in the investigation with RPD leading the investigation. The investigation identified an area southeast of Redmond in Deschutes County, where the victim/missing male was tied to a tree and a finger was removed during an assault. During the course of the assault, the victim was also tattooed in a derogatory manner.
The victim was later located on August 12, 2026, walking on the road near Deschutes Pet lodge with injuries. The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office contacted the victim and provided assistance. The victim provided information consistent with CODE’s investigation that Efram Palafox was involved in the assault and kidnapping. The victim had serious injuries and was transported to St. Charles in Bend for medical assistance.
A search warrant was executed on Efram Palafox’s residence, the same location CODE served their warrant, with an address on Powell Butte Highway. The execution of the search warrant resulted in the recovery of the missing finger, DNA evidence, and the possible weapon used.
Efram Palafox was additionally charged with Kidnappping I, Assault I, Assault II, and two counts of Unlawful Use of a Weapon and lodged at the Deschutes County Adult Jail.
The investigation was complex spanned over multiple locations and involved several resources and agencies. RPD would like thank CODE, the Central Oregon MIT, Bend Police Department, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, CERT, Oregon State Police, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, and St. Charles Medical Center for their assistance with the investigation.
