Arrests made on the Pilot Butte

Bend Police Dept. - 07/05/18

On July 4th, 2018 at 4:50pm, Bend Police and Bend Fire and Rescue were dispatched to the Pilot Butte State Park for the report of a brush fire. Deschutes County 911 received information that a person heard fireworks one minute prior to the fire starting. They also received descriptions of two vehicles leaving the area around the same time as the fire starting.
The fire caused substantial damage to the east and south lower side of Pilot Butte. The fire also started “spot” fires on the south side of Highway 20 that were quickly extinguished. State of Oregon and Federal Wildland fire crews responded and were on scene in time to limit the spread of the fire. The fire threatened the apartments to the east of Pilot Butte State Park. Bend Police assisted in evacuating residents from the apartments.
Several of the residents of the apartment complex were contacted and provided excellent descriptions of vehicles and persons in the area just prior to the fire starting. Two residents recognized the severity of the situation and either took photographs of vehicles leaving the scene or had a detailed mental description of the suspects involved in the incident.
Investigators learned that Alan Joseph Stout and Brandon Joel Hastings were at the Pilot Butte State Park Trailhead and had allegedly ignited an illegal “mortar” style firework. It appears the spark of the firework led to vegetation on the east side of Pilot Butte to ignite.
Officers and Detectives with the Bend Police Department located Brandon Hastings just before 10:00 pm in Redmond Oregon. Hastings was taken into custody and lodged at the Deschutes County Jail for Criminal Mischief I.
Detectives located Alan Stout in Bend on July 5th around 11:00 am and he was taken into custody for Criminal Mischief I, Reckless Burning and a Felony Probation Violation. Stout was transported to the Deschutes County Jail, where he was lodged.
Yesterday was a reminder of how dangerous aerial and illegal fireworks can be in our dry and warm Central Oregon climate. Using legal fireworks in a safe environment can keep our entire community safe.
Media release

Comments