Wanted man taken into custody in Sisters

Last updated 6/6/2023 at 2:27pm

Deschutes County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested a couple wanted in Marion County without incident in Sisters on Wednesday, May 31.

While the arrest came off smoothly, the incident attracted a lot of attention in town because local businesses had to briefly suspend operations and law enforcement personnel deployed an armored vehicle in the arrest.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) reports that deputies responded to the Ray’s Food Place parking lot in Sisters after a deputy was contacted by a woman who appeared to be in distress. Shunea Elizabeth Myers told the deputy that she had travelled to Sisters from Marion County with a man who was wanted by law enforcement. She did not feel safe with the man, identified as Jamie Lee Denby.

Deputies corroborated the information given by Myers — both Myers and Denby had active warrants. Myers told deputies that if Denby was contacted by law enforcement he would more likely than not put up a fight. Myers also said that Denby was armed with a machete.

Deputies located Denby inside a vehicle in the Mainline Chevron parking lot, seated in the front passenger seat under a blanket, sleeping. Law enforcement personnel contacted all the businesses in the immediate area and advised them to pause operations while deputies contacted and arrested Denby.

The vehicle Denby occupied was contained by the presence of multiple deputies and the assistance of Black Butte Police. They deployed the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office armored rescue vehicle for the safety of the citizens, deputies — and Denby.

“By denying the vehicle Denby was inside any possibility of movement, deputies were able to ensure the safety of those in the vicinity,” DCSO spokesman Sgt. Jason Wall explained.

Denby was taken into custody without incident and the businesses in the area were advised they could resume normal activities. The event was resolved within 32 minutes and no one was injured.

The Sheriff’s Office thanked Black Butte Ranch Police Department for their assistance.