Man arrested in Bend after fight leads to trailer fire, stolen dog

PORTLAND, Ore. ( KOIN ) — A man was arrested after a fight resulted in him allegedly setting fire to a trailer and stealing a dog in Bend early Thursday morning.

Just after 3 a.m., Bend Police officers responded to a report that a man in a truck was blocking traffic near Northeast Third Street and Franklin Avenue. When they arrived, they found 54-year-old Edward Bales in the pickup and arrested him on suspicion of DUII.

Further investigation found that Bales had been drinking for most of the day with 26-year-old Austin Stapleton. While both were driving back to Bales’ home, they got into a fight in which Stapleton punched Bales in the face, took his keys and left. In light of this, officers then tried to find Stapleton while Bales was being processed for the DUII.

Just before 5 a.m., officers as well as Bend Fire were dispatched on a report of an RV on fire in the Scandia Village RV Park. On arrival, they found Bales’ trailer engulfed in flames. Firefighters were able to put out the fire and officials say they believe it was arson.

About 30 minutes later, Deschutes County Sheriff’s deputies located Stapleton in a car along with Bales’ dog on Highway 97. Deputies then arrested Stapleton on suspicion of DUII, charges of fourth-degree assault, arson, robbery, theft and first-degree burglary.

He is currently in custody at the Deschutes County Jail.

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