Intruder enters home in Tollgate

A Sisters couple awoke in the wee hours of Sunday morning to a nasty surprise - a stranger standing in their bedroom.

Captain Erik Utter of the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office told The Nugget that the homeowner chased the intruder out of the home in Tollgate and pursued him. He nearly caught him, but the homeowner tripped and the suspect got away. A canine unit tracked the suspect to the area of the power station behind the subdivision, where the suspect may have had a car.

Utter noted that a bike was left at the scene. The sheriff's office will disseminate a photo of the bike, asking local folks if they can identify an owner.

According to Utter, the suspect entered the house through an unlocked door. He reminded Sisters area residents that it is important to secure doors at night and lock vehicles - basic precautions to avoid being an easy target.

Captain Utter said the suspect is likely male and a teenager or a young adult, with some athletic ability.

He also noted that there have been some other recent incidences of vandalism in the neighborhood, and a resident returned home to find a sliding door open, leading her to believe someone might have entered the residence.

"There may be an individual or two working the area looking for easy targets," Captain Utter said.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact the sheriff's office non-emergency dispatch at 541-693-6911.