Attempted armed robbery suspect who fled police, eluded manhunt found, captured with CERT assist at NE Bend hotel

(Update: Adding video, police comments)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – A Bend man who allegedly pulled a gun during a violent robbery attempt last week and fled pursuing officers two days later, hitting two vehicles, then left the car at Farewell Bend Park and eluded a major manhunt was located and arrested early Tuesday morning at a northeast Bend hotel.

Police developed information around 1:15 a.m. Tuesday that Ethen Russell Christensen, 38, was staying at the Home 2 Suites hotel on Northeast Livingston Drive, police Communications Manager Sheila Miller said.

The Central Oregon Emergency Response Team (CERT) was activated, and officers took Christensen into custody without incident around 4 a.m., Miller said.

Christensen was booked into the Deschutes County Jail and held without bail pending arraignment on initial charges of first-degree attempted robbery, second-degree assault, menacing, unlawful use of a weapon, pointing a firearm at another, unlawful entry into a vehicle, reckless endangering, eluding police, hit-and-run, methamphetamine possession and an out-of-county warrant.

“Thankfully in our community, these types of crimes are pretty rare," Miller told NewsChannel 21. "But when they happen, it's important for us to take them seriously and respond with all of the resources that we have at the scene.

"We had K-9s. We had drones. Deschutes County Sheriff's Office assisted us, brought K-9s. These are crimes that we take seriously, and we will use all of the all of the resources that we have to get people like this off the street.”

Police had said last week in a public request for tips that they might provide a cash reward for information leading to Christensen's arrest, depending on its value. Miller told NewsChannel 21 Tuesday, "We are not confirming whether anyone will receive a reward because of safety concerns."

Police also thanked the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in the case.

Officers took a report last Wednesday of an attempted robbery the previous night at the Red Carpet car wash on Northeast Twin Knolls Drive, Miller said.

The victim told police he had parked in the car wash bay to clear snow off his truck when two men parked in the bay next to his around 10:45 p.m. Tuesday and approached him. Miller said one of the suspects pointed a gun at him as the pair demanded his wallet and money. The victim and suspects fought before the man was able to get into his truck and drive away.

On Thursday around 5 p.m., an officer located suspect Christensen driving a black Jeep Grand Cherokee eastbound on Arizona Avenue near Wall Street.

Officers tried to pull the driver over at Southwest Bond Street and Bluff Drive in the Old Mill District, but he sped away into oncoming traffic, hitting two vehicles as he fled, Miller said.

Minutes later, officers found the unoccupied Jeep parked at Farewell Bend Park. Officers set up a perimeter and searched the area with several K-9 teams and drones but were unable to find him. Detectives, meanwhile, applied for a search warrant for his car.

"Our investigation and attempt to identify the second suspect is ongoing," Miller said Tuesday. She said last week that police believe Christensen was the armed individual in the confrontation.

Police thanked the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Street Crimes Unit for its assistance in the search for Christensen.

Court records show Christensen pleaded guilty in 2010 to assaulting a public safety officer, and three charges of resisting arrest were dismissed. He was sentenced to 75 days in jail and three years' probation, along with conditions. He also pleaded guilty to fleeing or attempting to elude police and ID theft in 2014 in Clackamas County and four other charges were dismissed. He received a 2-year prison term.