Suspect in PHS crime spree is arrested
By Terry Murry on Wednesday, October 23rd, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PENDLETON – More than 10 cars were broken into with numerous items stolen and one vehicle was taken from the Pendleton High School parking lot. The crimes were discovered shortly after midnight on Friday, Oct. 19. A day later Devon Louis Wells, 21, of Prineville was arrested by the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office and Umatilla Tribal Police. Some of the stolen items were found in his possession.
Pendleton Police Chief Chuck Byram says a patrol officer became alerted to the criminal activity when he was checking the student parking area on a routine patrol at 12:34 a.m. There were about 11 vehicles belonging to student athletes and coaches that had been broken into unlawfully. He said the value of the stolen property easily exceeded $1,000.
“Additionally, one vehicle belonging to a student athlete was stolen from the parking lot,” Byram stated. “Officers were able to obtain evidence from the scene as well as from another vehicle break-in that occurred on Oct. 18 in the 200 block of Northwest 14th Street.”
Byram said that at about 9 a.m. Saturday there was a report of a possible motor vehicle collision near U.S. Forest Service Road 31 and Summit Road. A Umatilla County Sheriff’s deputy and Umatilla Tribal Police responded and located the vehicle stolen from the high school parking lot that appeared to have numerous items of stolen property inside.
The responding officer located wells in the vicinity. Byram said he had more stolen property on his person from the vehicle break-ins.
The stolen vehicle was returned to its owner. The officers are still working with the victims to get the recovered property identified and returned. Preliminary felony charges against Wells are unauthorized use of a vehicle and first-degree theft. He is also being held under an in-state warrant.
