Arrest made in assault in Sisters

A 21-year-old Bend man is under arrest for allegedly assaulting a ride share driver and stealing his vehicle in Sisters.

According to the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched to a report of an assault and theft of a vehicle in Sisters on May 3, at 2:48 a.m. Deschutes County 911 Dispatch advised a male subject had assaulted a ride share driver and subsequently stole the vehicle.

During the course of the investigation, it was determined Joshua Buck, a 21-year-old transient was at the Deschutes County Stabilization Center and had requested a ride share service to Sisters. Once in Sisters Buck asked to be dropped off in the vicinity of the Sisters Inn and Suites. When the vehicle came to a stop, Buck allegedly assaulted the 77-year-old driver and dragged him out of the vehicle.

Buck then allegedly stole the ride share vehicle and headed west on Highway 20 towards the Santiam Pass.

DCSO reports that deputies were able to determine the location of the stolen vehicle as it continued westbound on Highway 126 towards Vida, Oregon.

Deschutes County 911 Dispatch notified Law Enforcement agencies in the areas the stolen vehicle was traveling. At 4 a.m., Deschutes County 911 was advised Lane County Sheriff’s Office and Springfield Police Department was enroute to a multi-vehicle injury crash near Vida.

Lane County Sheriff’s Office contacted Buck at the crash in Vida. Police determined that Buck had crashed the vehicle he had stolen in Sisters, and was actively attempting to steal a second vehicle to continue his escape. The driver of that vehicle was able to speed away, striking Buck in the process.

Buck was arrested and transported to an area hospital for evaluation and treatment for his injuries. Buck has subsequently been transported to the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Adult Jail and lodged on charges of first-degree robbery, second-degree assault, and unauthorized use of a vehicle.