Police shoot, kill Bend man after chase that led through Sisters

A man suspected of two armed robberies in Bend was killed in a confrontation with police on Highway 22 in Linn County after a chase that ran through Sisters and over Santiam Pass.

On Tuesday, December 8, around 10:15 p.m., Bend Police responded to 911 calls of an armed robbery at Dutch Bros. Coffee located at 603 SE 3rd St. and Domino’s Pizza located at 235 SE Yew Ave. in Bend.

According to police, the suspect, later identified as 27-year-old Brad Masters of Bend, walked up to Dutch Bros. Coffee at the north drive-through window, brandished a handgun, demanded money and then left on foot. The suspect then entered the Domino’s Pizza, allegedly brandished a handgun and demanded money. He then stole a car from a Domino’s employee and fled prior to officers arriving on scene. The suspect left with an undisclosed amount of cash.

Information was given to the Oregon State Police and the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office regarding the armed robbery and the stolen vehicle.

A Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office deputy was on the Bend Parkway near milepost 138 and observed the stolen vehicle driving south at a high rate of speed. The deputy attempted to stop the vehicle. The deputy lost sight of the vehicle in the area of Romaine Village. As a perimeter was being set up in the area, another deputy was watching Highway 20 just west of Tumalo. As the deputy was watching, a blue passenger car passed him at a high rate of speed, estimated at 90 to 100 miles per hour. The deputy was able to catch up to the vehicle and confirm it was the stolen vehicle.

The deputy attempted to stop the vehicle, but the vehicle sped up and continued driving west on Highway 20. The deputy discontinued pursuing as he got close to the City of Sisters. A Black Butte Police Officer was east of Sisters set up with spike strips, but the vehicle was able to bypass them. Once the deputy was west of the City of Sisters he attempted to catch up to the vehicle again. The deputy continued trying to stop the vehicle until he reached the county line.

The deputy was alone at this time, so the decision was made to discontinue pursuing the vehicle.

Deputies from Linn County and Troopers from Oregon State Police located Masters in the stolen vehicle westbound on Highway 22 about five miles east of Gates and stopped the car with spike strips. Masters allegedly exited the vehicle and a confrontation ensued in which troopers and deputies shot and killed Masters. No law enforcement officers were injured.