The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

A Sisters construction crew returning from an overnight snow removal project interrupted a thief in action early Saturday morning.

The Deschutes County Sheriff's Office reports that on March 2, at approximately 5:48 a.m., deputies were dispatched to a vehicle theft in progress. The 911 caller, an employee of Robinson-Owen Heavy Construction Company, reported that he interrupted the theft of a company construction trailer as he and his crew returned from an overnight project.

Deschutes County Sheriff's Office Deputies and a Black Butte Ranch Police Officer arrived to find Robert Stanley Hornby II of Portland, Oregon detained by the construction crew. Hornby was attempting to drive away with a flat-bed car hauler trailer when stopped by the crew who blocked him in with a construction grader.

The truck driven by Hornby while attempting to steal a trailer was also reported stolen by Fox Roofing in Vancouver, Washington.

During the investigation, it was discovered that Robinson-Owen Construction also had a blue 2016 Ford F350 with brushed aluminum rack (Oregon Lic. 306JLC)

stolen from the same equipment yard overnight. That truck is still outstanding.

A rifle, stolen from the missing Ford truck, was in Hornby's possession when he was arrested. DCSO reports was also in possession of collection of "automotive jiggler or try-out keys." These are tools often used by professional locksmiths. The "jiggler" key slips into the keyway of many locks and most car locks and moved around until the lock opens.

A second vehicle was also stolen overnight in the City of Sisters. In that case, a red 2002 Chevrolet Blazer (Oregon Lic 200GPY) was stolen from the 400 block of W. Washington Ave. That car also remains outstanding.

Based on the initial investigation, Deputies believe all of the thefts are related and the investigation is ongoing. Deputies are following-up on additional leads and more information may be released as the case progresses.

Citizens are asked to contact Deschutes County 911 if either of the outstanding stolen vehicles are seen. Citizens are advised not to attempt to contact or detain the occupants.

Hornby was lodged in the Deschutes County Jail on multiple charges: Theft I; Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle X2; Felon in Possession of a Firearm; Possession of Burglary Tools; Unlawful Possession of a Schedule II Drug; Unlawful Possession of Heroin.