Police nab fugitives near Sisters

A Black Butte Ranch police officer deployed spike strips to stop a fugitive’s vehicle, and Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) deputies took two men into custody on Highway 20 west of Sisters last week.

The men arrested were suspects in a shooting incident in Redmond. According to Redmond Police Department (RPD), officers responded to the 1900 block of NW Cedar Ave., at approximately 7:30 a.m. on Monday, June 26, regarding a shooting that had just occurred. Witnesses reported that a black passenger car drove by a residence, stopped, and a person inside the vehicle fired multiple rounds from a firearm at a male resident who was in the driveway. The suspect left the location.

Officers and Redmond Fire and Rescue personnel provided emergency first aid to the victim, 42-year-old Esaui Mutchler, who died of his wounds on Saturday, July 1. RPD shut down the surrounding area and the Major Incident Team (MIT) was activated to assist RPD in investigating the case.

Later on June 26, the Bend Police Department located the suspect vehicle, a black 2013 Honda Civic, in the area of NE 1st and NE Greenwood avenues in Bend.

During the course of this investigation, the MIT identified two suspects: 45-year-old Mark Johnson of Redmond and his 18-year-old son Iceton Johnson of Redmond.

At approximately 7:30 p.m., the Central Oregon Emergency Response Team executed a search warrant of their residence in Redmond. No one was present in the home during the execution of the search warrant.

At approximately 10 p.m., a DCSO deputy located Mark Johnson’s vehicle, a two-toned gray 1993 Ford F150 with a blue stripe, in Sisters. A Black Butte police officer successfully deployed spike strips as Mark Johnson’s truck traveled west on Highway 20 near Black Butte Ranch. DCSO deputies conducted a high-risk traffic stop of the vehicle.

Iceton Johnson, passenger, was compliant as deputies placed him into custody.

Mark Johnson, driver, refused to obey deputies’ commands and Deschutes County K9 Ronin was deployed and assisted with taking Mark Johnson into custody. Mark Johnson was transported by Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District medics to St. Charles Medical Center-Redmond for medical treatment.

Iceton Johnson was arrested and lodged at the Deschutes County Jail on charges later upgraded to murder in the second degree, assault in the first degree, unlawful use of a weapon, and recklessly endangering another person.

Mark Johnson was arrested and lodged at the Deschutes County Jail on charges later upgraded to murder in the second degree, assault in the first degree, unlawful use of a weapon, and recklessly endangering another person.