The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Shares Weekend Reminder To Keep Vehicles Secure At Local Trailheads & Parks (Photo) - 05/01/26

Deschutes County, Ore. — With spring-like weather upon us and many people planning to get outdoors and enjoy local trails, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is sharing a friendly reminder to help prevent theft at trailheads and local parks.

In recent weeks, deputies have seen an increase in calls involving trespass into parked cars and theft of items at recreation sites across the county. Each spring, as trail use increases, the Sheriff’s Office typically sees a rise in these crimes of opportunity at popular locations such as Phil’s Trailhead, Shevlin Park, Maston, and several community parks, including Pine Nursery and Big Sky.

Thieves often look for the easiest opportunity, like an unlocked door or items left in plain view. To help protect your belongings while you enjoy the outdoors, the Sheriff’s Office encourages the following:

• Avoid leaving valuables in your vehicle whenever possible
• If you must bring them, store items out of sight in a glove box, center console, or trunk
• Always lock your vehicle, even for quick stops
• Report suspicious activity at trailheads or parking areas

Deputies will continue regular patrols at trailheads and parks as the recreation season ramps up. The Sheriff’s Office wishes everyone a safe and enjoyable weekend outdoors and reminds you to Lock it, Hide It, Hike & Ride On!

###

Two Hikers Brought To Safety By Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Search & Rescue After Calling For Help On South Sister (Photo) - 04/23/26

Bend, Ore. -- On Wednesday, April 22, at 4:45 p.m., the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Search & Rescue unit responded to a call for help when a hiker began experiencing a medical issue and became mildly hypothermic.

Two males in their 20s had driven over from the Philomath area to hike South Sister. They parked at Dutchman Flat at the base of Mt. Bachelor and were on their way back down the mountain when they called for help.

Thirteen volunteers from the SAR Medical and Mountain Rescue teams reached the hikers at 8:25 p.m. One hiker was able to walk out without assistance. The second was transported in a Cascade rescue sled after being warmed up by SAR medical personnel.

SAR crews arrived at Cascade Lakes Highway with the hikers at 3:45 a.m., after navigating deep, variable snow. One hiker was transferred to a Bend Fire & Rescue ambulance for further evaluation, while the other was taken to his car.

The Sheriff’s Office reminds hikers to plan ahead and carry plenty of food, water, and proper clothing. Despite spring‑like weather, conditions in higher elevations can change rapidly, especially as the sun sets and temperatures drop.

###

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Alerts Public To Fake Calls Where Scammers Pose As Deputies (Photo) - 04/14/26

Bend, Ore. -- The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is alerting the community about an active phone scam in which callers impersonate deputies with the Sheriff’s Office and attempt to convince victims to pay bogus fines.

Over the past several days, deputies have responded to multiple reports of residents receiving fraudulent calls from individuals claiming to be with the Sheriff’s Office. The callers use phone number spoofing to make the call appear legitimate. They then falsely claim that the recipient has missed a court date or faces criminal charges, and demand payment to freeze or delay legal action.

These scammers even use the names of real Sheriff’s Office employees, but they often get key details wrong, including referring to Sheriff Ty Rupert as ‘Lieutenant Rupert’. We want the community to know that no deputy will ever call to ask for payment, request your financial information, or threaten arrest if you don’t pay.

Community members who receive suspicious calls are encouraged to:

• Verify the legitimacy of any law enforcement contact by calling non-emergency dispatch at (541) 693-6911.
• Report the scam attempt to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov.
• Share this information with friends, family, and vulnerable community members who may be targeted.

No victims have reported financial losses at this time, but this type of scam is designed to pressure individuals into making quick payments, and even a single incident can cause significant harm.

###

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Offering Free Voluntary Boat Safety Inspections Saturday, April 18 (Photo) - 04/09/26

Bend, Ore. -- On Saturday, April 18, 2026, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) will provide free, voluntary boat safety inspections. DCSO Marine Deputies will be on-site at two locations from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to conduct inspections, answer questions, and help boat operators prepare for a safe boating season.

These no‑penalty inspections ensure that boats and watercraft meet state and federal safety requirements, giving operators added peace of mind before heading out on Oregon’s waterways. Vessels that pass the inspection will receive an official inspection sticker. If a vessel does not meet requirements, deputies will provide guidance to help operators bring their boats into compliance. No citations will be issued during these events.

Deschutes County Sheriff Ty Rupert emphasizes the importance of safety before boaters enjoy local rivers and lakes.

“These inspections give boaters an opportunity to ensure their equipment meets safety standards before launching. While enforcement is part of our daily work, we also want to help citizens be in compliance before they hit the water this spring and summer. This free event is a great opportunity,” said Sheriff Ty Rupert.

Inspection Locations

• Sheriff’s Office Main Office Parking Lot – 63333 W Hwy 20, Bend, OR 97703
• La Pine County Services Center – 51340 Hwy 97, La Pine, OR 97739

Boaters can learn more about voluntary vessel safety checks by visiting the Sheriff’s Office website: Marine - Deschutes County Sheriff's Office Oregon

###