Redmond, OR – On Saturday, April 21, 2018, at about 5:10 PM, employees from the US Cellular Store, 1380 SW Canal Blvd #101, called Deschutes County 911 and reported an armed robbery involving a firearm. Employees reported a white male adult had a handgun and demanded money, and an iPhone. Items, which included money and electronic devices, were given to the suspect who then fled the store on foot towards the Redmond Fred Meyer store. Officers soon learned the suspect had got into a vehicle after leaving the store.
Officers located a suspect in the area of SW Rimrock Way and SW 21st Street. Mitchell D. Hunsaker, 23-years-old and a Redmond resident, was taken into custody after a short foot chase. Mr. Hunsaker did not have the items taken during the robbery and had changed his clothes. Officer Josh Powers and his K9 partner “Mavrick,” conducted an area search and was able to locate the stolen money, clothing worn during the robbery, a backpack with the stolen items, and the handgun believed to be used during the robbery.
Based on information from witnesses in the area, it was reported that Mr. Hunsaker was a passenger in a vehicle and had been dropped off. Additional tips and information from citizens were received, and the vehicle used during the robbery was identified, and soon located. The driver of the car, Dustin A. Hilsendager, 23-years-old and a Redmond resident, was arrested at his place of employment without incident. Evidence of the robbery at US Cellular was found inside the vehicle.
Mr. Hunsaker was arrested for numerous crimes, including Robbery in the First Degree, Kidnapping in the First Degree, Coercion, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Theft in the First Degree, Menacing, Tampering with Physical Evidence, Interfering with a Peace Officer, Criminal Trespass in the Second Degree, Burglary in the Second Degree, and Unlawful Use of a Weapon.
Mr. Hilsendager was also arrested for numerous crimes, including Robbery in the First Degree, Theft in the First Degree, Unlawful Use of Weapon, and Burglary in the Second Degree.
“The quick resolution to this violent crime was made possible by the employees of US Cellular, and the numerous citizen witnesses who provided information to law enforcement in a timely manner,” said Lieutenant Hank Majetich, Redmond Police Department.
It is the vision of the Redmond Police Department to make Redmond the safest community in Oregon. Quickly responding to violent crime, and arresting those responsible for the harm done in our city, is just one example of how we attempt to achieve our vision. The Redmond Police Department is extremely appreciative of the numerous witnesses who provided information to us while this incident was being investigated. Your police department works hard every day to serve you, and we continue to be your humble servants.
Redmond, OR – On Friday, April 13, 2018 at approximately 8:45 AM, an employee with Knife River Construction working on the SW Canal Blvd reconstruction project noticed suspicious behavior of a white male adult looking through a white minivan, and then driving away in the vehicle from the area of SW Canal Blvd and SW 25th Street. Redmond Police responded, and after speaking with the owner of the vehicle discovered the Knife River employee witnessed the theft of the vehicle.
At approximately 9:30 AM a concerned citizen called Deschutes County 911 Dispatch to report a white minivan had run a stop sign at the intersection of SW Wickiup Ave and SW Helmholtz Way. Redmond Police and Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded to the area to attempt to locate the vehicle, believing it may be the stolen vehicle.
Shortly before 10:00 AM, a Redmond Police Officer observed the stolen white minivan being driven north on SW Canal Blvd approaching the roundabout at SW 27th Street and SW Yew Ave. Two Redmond Officers initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to stop, accelerating to speeds of over 50 miles per hour in a residential area. Officers were able to see the driver and recognized him as Mr. David Giovanini. The pursuit was terminated by Officers due to the unsafe driving by the suspect and the unnecessary risk that posed to the public.
At approximately 10:07 AM, an Officer observed the stolen vehicle at the drive-through of McDonald’s Restaurant on S Hwy 97 in Redmond. An Officer set up spike strips, and as other Officers began to arrive, the suspect again drove away, driving over the spike strips and weaving his way through several Redmond Police vehicles, hitting one police department vehicle causing minor damage.
Officers pursued the suspect on S Hwy 97. The suspect made several U-turns on the highway, all the while at least one tire was deflating. Spike strips were again successfully deployed on the vehicle. However, Officers again terminated the pursuit based on the reckless driving exhibited by the suspect.
A few minutes later, the suspect vehicle was located again, this time driving on SW Canal Blvd with four deflated tires. The tires were tearing apart, and the vehicle was nearly driving on the steel wheels. Officers followed the vehicle until it became disabled on SW Timber Ave at SW 21st Street.
Once stopped, the suspect did not immediately obey commands to exit the vehicle and eventually emerged from the vehicle, continuing not to follow commands. The suspect ran back towards the driver seat of the vehicle and started to get inside. Officer Josh Powers deployed his canine “Maverick,” and “Maverick” bit the suspect while he was retreating into the vehicle. Officers pulled the suspect from the passenger side of the vehicle and placed him on the ground. Officers arrested the suspect without further incident.
Mr. David Giovanini, 53-years-old and a Redmond resident, sustained minor injuries to his leg consistent with a dog bite and scratches to his face from coming into contact with the roadway. He was taken by law enforcement to St. Charles Medical Center – Redmond for a medical evaluation due to health-related concerns, and eventually released to the custody of the hospital.
Mr. Giovanini was arrested for numerous crimes, including Theft of a Vehicle, three counts of Attempt to Elude a Police Officer – Felony, Reckless Driving, Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Interfering With a Peace Officer, and Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree. A report of this incident will be forwarded to the Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office for review and formal charging.
The Redmond Police Department attempts to balance the need to capture a suspect with the need to keep the community safe. The decisions made by officers and supervisors in the field are based on the information known to law enforcement at that moment. Hindsight is always “20/20,” but the rapid pace of dynamic incident necessitates quick action and decision-making. It is our hope the actions of your police department today were reflective of your highest expectations of law enforcement.
We want to thank the Knife River employee who reported the suspicious behavior of this individual and want to remind everyone to call the police when they see activity which is unusual or suspicious.
REDMOND, OR – In March, the Redmond Police Department conducted a DUII High Visibility Enforcement effort. During this time Redmond police placed two additional officers on the road, funded by DUII grant funds. No DUII arrests were made during the grant-funded overtime shifts. However, Redmond patrol officers working their normal shifts during March arrested ten (10) DUII drivers.
Redmond Police will continue enhanced DUII patrols throughout the remaining month of April. The primary intent of these heighten patrols is to prevent deaths, injuries and property damage caused by DUII drivers by removing them from the road. Redmond Police Department officers are trained to look for signs of impairment beyond just alcohol, as many other substances, legal or illegal, can impair a person’s ability to operate a vehicle.
The officers of your Redmond Police Department are committed to making Redmond the safest community in Oregon. Preventing, locating and arresting DUII drivers is one of many ways they are working to accomplish this vision. Funding to support these enhanced DUII patrols is provided by a DUII High Visibility Enforcement Grant, awarded to the Redmond Police Department from the Oregon Department of Transportation.
Please report suspected DUII drivers by calling 541-693-6911 in Deschutes County or anywhere in Oregon by calling 800-24-DRUNK (800-243-7865).
Redmond, OR – The Redmond Police Department is seeking interested and eligible people to apply to become a Reserve Police Officer. RPD is currently accepting applications for a June testing date. The exact date of testing is to be determined. The closing date for applications is Monday, April 16, 2018.
What is a Reserve Officer? Like a volunteer firefighter, a Reserve Police Officer is an unrepresented, volunteer position who serves along-side full-time sworn officers. Redmond Police Department Reserve Officers receive specialized law enforcement training mandated by state law and department policy. They serve at the discretion of the Chief of Police and have full peace officer powers as grant by Oregon law.
Becoming a Reserve Officer is a challenging and rewarding way of serving your community while learning the many challenging aspects of modern-day policing.
Many of our Reserve Officers enter with an interest in a career in law enforcement. This is an excellent opportunity for an individual to gain firsthand knowledge and experience in this field before deciding to dedicate themselves to the profession. Our Reserve Officers have taken full advantage of this career development opportunity, with dozens of them being promoted to full-time positions with the Redmond Police Department and other law enforcement agencies in Central Oregon and around the state.
While some of our officers are moving on to full-time careers, others make a career of being volunteers. Many of our Reserve Officers have well established positions in the public and private sectors. They are deeply rooted in the community and come to our unit with a variety of skills and life experiences that make them an invaluable part of our team. They are driven by a deep sense of civic pride and the satisfaction of making a positive impact on the quality of life in our city.
The City of Redmond is looking for individuals who have a desire to provide valuable assistance to the Department and community through service as a Reserve Officer. Explore this exciting opportunity to see what a law enforcement career is really like. Feel the pride and satisfaction generated by being part of a team of volunteers who take an active role in establishing the City of Redmond as a safe and productive community where their families and loved ones can grow and prosper.
Interested individuals can click this link http://www.ci.redmond.or.us/government/departments/police/become-a-redmond-police-reserve-officer to be taken to the Redmond Police Department website for additional information, instructions, and the application.
Redmond, OR -- Shortly after midnight, at 12:15 AM, on Tuesday morning March 27, 2018, Redmond Police officers responded to the 2000 block of NW Maple Ave after receiving a 911 phone call of a single-vehicle crash. This crash occurred just yards away from another DUII crash which happened on February 11, where a vehicle crashed into a residence.
Arriving officers contacted two people who had been able to remove themselves from the vehicle after the crash. The driver, Aaron Faherty, 31-years-old and Redmond resident, was uninjured. The passenger, Aaron Kuper, 31-years-old and a Redmond resident received minor injuries.
An investigation at the scene revealed Faherty was driving westbound on NW Maple Ave and then left the roadway and hit a street sign, went over the top of a large rock pile, and then through a fence before coming to rest in the front yard of 2074 NW Maple Ave. Faherty was arrested at the scene by officers for DUII-Alcohol, Reckless Driving, and Recklessly Endangering Another Person. Additional crimes are possible after further investigation is completed.
In addition to impairment, high speed is considered a contributing factor in this crash. Faherty was taken to the Redmond Police Department were he was booked and released to a sober adult.
The passenger, Kuper, was arrested on an outstanding DUII arrest warrant. He was taken by Redmond Fire & Rescue medics to St. Charles Medical Center -- Redmond, where he was ultimately issued a new court date on his arrest warrant and released.
Since the start of this year, your Redmond Police Department have arrested no less than 27 people for DUII. These people arrested, we fear, represent only a fraction of the actual number of people driving impaired in our community. DUII drivers place the lives of countless other people in danger during every hour of every day. The Redmond Police Department would like to encourage everyone to not drive after becoming impaired. In Oregon, approximately 40% of all fatal crashes involve at least one DUII driver. Please remember to plan ahead when choosing to drink or use another impairing substance. Arrange a ride, call a taxi or ride-share service, or walk to your destination after becoming impaired.
Save lives, drive sober!