On August 12, 2020 at about 5:09 AM a Crook County Sheriff’s Office deputy was on his way to work in his marked
patrol vehicle to start his shift when he observed a vehicle traveling southbound on Highway 97 erratically near
milepost 111.
The Crook County deputy called for assistance from the Oregon State Police and the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office
due to being out side of Crook County. He then attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the 1994 Geo Metro but it failed
to yield and continued to drive in a reckless manner southbound.
Traffic was light during this time and the vehicle was pursued into Terrebonne where it turned off Highway 97 for a
short period on to 11 Street. The Geo then got back onto Highway 97 and headed southbound then turned onto NW
Odem Ave where it was pinned in by the deputy.
A high risk traffic stop was conducted with the assistance of an off duty Warmsprings Police Officer who was also on
his way to work in his work vehicle and heard the pursuit. The driver and lone occupant Travis Ray Buenafe age 29
was taken into custody.
Buenafe is a transient to the area was transported to the Jefferson County Jail where he was lodged due to the pursuit
starting in Jefferson County. It was determined the Geo Metro was stolen out of Phoenix, Oregon and Buenafe was
wanted by the State Parole Board and Josephine County.
Buenafe was lodged at the Jefferson County Jail for:
Unlawful Use of a Motor Vehicle $15,000
Attempt to Elude $15,000
Reckless Driving $10,000
DUII $10,000
Josephine County Warrant $35,000
State Parole Board Warrant No bail
Undersheriff James C. Savage
Crook County Sheriff’s Office
