Redmond, Ore. – On February 12th Redmond Police Department Officers were involved in a vehicle pursuit with a reported stolen vehicle, a 2015 Nissan Altima. During the pursuit the vehicle struck a power pole and the driver fled on foot. The driver was not located at the time of the initial pursuit, but evidence was recovered at the scene of the crash.
On February 23rd Officers contacted Joshua Capasso, age 25 and a Redmond area transient, at the Redmond Fred Meyer on a separate investigation regarding a different stolen vehicle. Capasso was arrested on an outstanding warrant and also charged with Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, Theft in the First Degree and Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree.
On March 8th Officers developed probable cause to arrest Capasso regarding the pursuit and crash which occurred on February 12th. The investigation revealed the evidence recovered at the scene of the crash belonged to Capasso. Capasso was still in the Deschutes County Jail after his February 23rd arrest. He was additionally charged with Attempt to Elude Police – Felony, Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, Criminal Mischief and Reckless Driving.
Vehicle thefts are most commonly a crime of opportunity, whereas as vehicle is left unsecured with the keys inside. The best way to prevent a vehicle from being stolen, or to prevent theft of items from inside a vehicle, is to lock the vehicle and roll up the windows. Do not leave your keys inside and remove from view any items of value or any bags which may appear to contain items of value.
Text from earlier press release:
On 02/12/2016 at approximately 0239 hrs. Officers from the Redmond Police Department took a report of a stolen vehicle taken sometime earlier in the evening. The car was described as a brown 2015 Nissan Altima with Oregon license 805HMJ.
At approximately 0318 hrs. Officers located the vehicle occupied and driving in the area of SW 31st St & SW Obsidian Ave. A traffic stop was attempted and the vehicle sped off resulting in a vehicle pursuit. The pursuit continued onto the Old Bend Redmond Hwy.
During the pursuit, the vehicle crashed into a power pole in the area of 93rd St and Hereford Ave in Deschutes County. The driver fled on and foot. A Redmond Police K9 team conducted an area search / track and was not able to locate the suspect. Evidence was collected at the scene which may enable investigators to identify the suspect.
