Third Suspect Arrested in Oakridge Home Invasion Robbery Identified

Wayne Thomas New Source: Oregon State Police

(EUGENE, Ore.) - The third of three suspects sought following a reported home invasion robbery in Oakridge and subsequent attempt to elude in a vehicle and on foot was arrested Sunday afternoon following release from an area hospital.

All three suspects are now lodged in the Lane County Jail after their arrests late Friday night near Vida. The investigation is continuing.

Wayne Thomas New, age 41, from Eugene, was being treated at an McKenzie Willamette Hospital for treatment of hypothermia and a personal medical issue. Officers found him Friday at 2:20 p.m. when he was spotted in a nearby river. Wayne New was released Sunday and lodged at the Lane County Jail for Burglary in the First Degree, Kidnap in the First Degree (3 counts), and Robbery in the First Degree (3 counts). Photograph of Wayne New is his DMV photo because a jail photograph is not available.

The two suspects in custody were previously indentified as David Bryan New, age 45, from Lakeside, California, and Byron Leroy Loftis, age 50, from El Cajon, California. All three were found following an extensive multi-agency search involving Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers and detectives, Lane County Sheriff's Office, Springfield Police Department, Eugene Police Department, BLM law enforcement, and McKenzie Fire & Rescue.

According to OSP Lieutenant Rob Edwards, on October 29, 2010 at approximately 1:00 p.m. OSP troopers and Lane County deputies responded to a reported home invasion robbery on Huckleberry Flat Road in the Oakridge area. Three male suspects reportedly left the scene in a green 2009 Jeep Cherokee displaying California license plates. Three people at the residence were not injured. Their names are withheld pending the ongoing investigation.

At approximately 1:57 p.m. an OSP trooper spotted the suspect vehicle on Highway 126E near Blue River. The vehicle attempted to elude the trooper westbound at speeds over 100 mph for several miles. The vehicle separated itself from the trooper and was found at 2:10 p.m. crashed into a ditch and stopped against an embankment near a driveway about one mile east of Vida. The three suspects were last seen fleeing on foot in separate directions.

Evidence tying the vehicle and suspects to the home invasion robbery was found in the vehicle. Weapons were also found in the vehicle and the suspects were considered armed and dangerous. A reverse 9-1-1 call was made to area residents within a five mile distance from the abandoned vehicle advising them of the incident.

David New was found at approximately 10:13 p.m. walking along Highway 126E in Vida. He was taken to McKenzie Willamette Hospital for a medical evaluation after complaining of back pain and upon release he was taken to the Lane County Jail where he was lodged for Burglary in the First Degree, Kidnap in the First Degree (3 counts), and Robbery in the First Degree (3 counts).

Loftis was found hiding in bushes behind the Vida Café after OSP troopers, Lane County deputies and a Springfield police canine unit responded to a reported sighting at 11:05 p.m. Loftis refused to comply with police orders and was eventually taken into custody after he was bit by the canine. He was also taken to McKenzie Willamette Hospital for treatment of minor bite injuries and upon release taken to the Lane County Jail and lodged for Burglary in the First Degree, Kidnap in the First Degree (3 counts), and Robbery in the First Degree (3 counts).

See: Two of Three Suspects Arrested in Oakridge Home Invasion Robbery Identified

Source: Oregon State Police