A Bend man was jailed after he allegedly threatened another motorist during a road rage incident Tuesday. According to Bend Police, Christopher Steven King, 34, was arrested by police Wednesday. Police say the incident began when the suspect and victim engaged in aggressive driving behavior on Century Drive around the Sunriver cutoff road. This behavior continued, ultimately ending with the suspect, who was driving a 2002 Toyota Tundra, following the victim back into Bend.
Both vehicles were stopped on Century Drive, waiting their turn to enter the round-a-bout at Reed Market Road. The victim exited their vehicle to take pictures of the suspect vehicle for reporting purposes. The suspect exited his vehicle quickly, with a knife in hand. The suspect reportedly made comments about hurting the victim as well as making racial epithets. As the victim retreated, and he feared for his life, the suspect broke out the rear window of the victim’s 2019 Volkswagen Atlas. The suspect subsequently stabbed the rear driver side tire.
The suspect returned to the Toyota Tundra and quickly fled the scene. Officers checked the area but were unable to locate the suspect or the suspect vehicle.
On June 30th, 2021 officers learned the location of the suspect through the ongoing investigation. Bend Police Officers stopped the suspect vehicle on Brosterhous Road near Button Brush Avenue. During the stop, officers were able to identify the suspect as Christopher King. They also located the knife used in the incident inside of the vehicle. King was taken into custody without incident.
King was jailed on the following charges: Bias I, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Menacing, Criminal Mischief I, Failure to Perform the Duties of a Driver and Reckless Driving.
In 2019, Senate Bill 577 was passed and changed bias based crime reporting criteria. If you are a victim of a bias based crime please call Deschutes County 911 so this can be reported to the Bend Police Department. You can also call the Bias Hotline at 844-924-BIAS (2427) or go online at StandAgainstHate.oregon.gov to report any bias based incidents.
