Two of Three Suspects Arrested in Oakridge Home Invasion Robbery Identified

(EUGENE, Ore.) - Two of the three suspects sought following a reported home invasion robbery in Oakridge and subsequent attempt to elude in a vehicle and on foot are now lodged in the Lane County Jail and their names are being released.

All three were taken into custody by late Friday night near Vida and were being treated at an area hospital for various possible injuries. The third suspect's name is withheld until he has been released from the hospital and lodged at the Lane County Jail. The investigation is continuing.

The two suspects in custody are David Bryan New, age 45, from Lakeside, California, and Byron Leroy Loftis, age 50, from El Cajon, California. The third man, age 41, is from Eugene.

Information that two of the suspects were Hispanic males was later determined to be wrong. They 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.

The first suspect, age 41, was found at 2:20 p.m. when he was spotted in a nearby river. He was taken to McKenzie Willamette Hospital for treatment of hypothermia and a personal medical issue. He is still being treated.

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)

Source: Oregon State Police

Follow Up Third Suspect Arrested in Oakridge Home Invasion Robbery Identified