ARMED ROBBERY IN OTIS **UPDATE** FINAL SUSPECT IN CUSTODY
News Release from Lincoln Co. Sheriff’s Office
Posted on FlashAlert: April 7th, 2020 4:08 PM
On March 30, 2020 at approximately 7:40 PM the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a fight in progress near the 1400 block of North Bank Rd in Otis. The caller who was not involved in the fight reported 4-6 subjects fighting on the side of the road. The caller reported that there appeared to be two silver colored vehicles associated with the fight. The caller heard someone yelling “call the cops”.
Sgt. Karl Vertner was on patrol less than a mile from the location at the time of the reported incident. Upon his arrival, he determined both silver vehicles had left the scene. Sgt. Vertner contacted a group of three young adults. The group reported they had been robbed of their silver Toyota Camry at gunpoint. The group reported the suspects fled the scene eastbound on North Bank Rd. The victims reported that there were four suspects in total however only two of the suspects forced them out of their vehicle at gunpoint.
Sgt. Vertner broadcasted an Attempt To Locate for the silver Toyota Camry and a silver Dodge Challenger.
During the course of this investigation law enforcement officers learned both parties were acquainted, and this was not a random act.
At approximately 8:02 PM Officers with the Lincoln City Police Department located the stolen Toyota Camry traveling on SW Bard Road in Lincoln City. Officers conducted a high risk traffic stop of the vehicle and apprehended Nicholas Allen Wright age 30 of Otis. Inside the vehicle officers located a loaded .22 caliber rifle. This rifle matched the description of the gun used in the crime.
On March 31, at approximately 3:41 PM Deputy Dowty with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office located the outstanding suspect vehicle traveling southbound on Hwy 101 near Cape Foulweather. Deputy Dowty conducted a high risk traffic stop on the vehicle. The driver, Ruben Zamudio Jr. age 30 of Newport was taken into custody for his role in the robbery.
On April 1, 2020, at approximately 9:30 PM Deputies with the Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office, assisted by Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Grand Ronde Tribal Police, located and apprehended the third outstanding suspect, Kimmia Kay Whittlinger, age 26 of Lincoln City. She will be transported to Lincoln County Jail and lodged on Robbery charges.
Nicholas Allen Wright is currently lodged at the Lincoln County Jail on Robbery and related Weapon charges.
Ruben Zamudio Jr. is currently lodged at the Lincoln County Jail on Robbery charges.
The fourth outstanding suspect, Jacob Leeland Lunstedt, age 27, should be considered armed and dangerous. If you have any information regarding Jacob Lunstedt’s whereabouts, please call the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office at 541-265-4277.
The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Lincoln City Police Department, Oregon State Police, Grand Ronde Tribal Police, Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office and the Tillamook County Sheriff’s Office.
****Update*****
On April 7th, 2020 at approximately 10:00 AM law enforcement agencies in Salem were notified the wanted subject, Jacob Lunstedt, was seen driving a 2020 Nissan Altima possibly heading to Lincoln County.
At approximately 1:22 PM Lincoln City police officers located the vehicle traveling west on Hwy 18. Officers followed the vehicle onto East Devils Lake Rd where Lunstedt became suspicious, fleeing at a high rate of speed on the US Forest Service Rd 1726. The officers engaged in a pursuit of the vehicle traveling approximately 10 miles of forest roads leading to the intersection with N. Bear Creek Rd in Otis.
Deputy Zachary Dowty was positioned at N. Bear Creek Rd and the USFS 1726 with spike strips deployed covering the entire width of the single lane road. The spikes were successful, deflating the vehicle tires as designed.
Lunstedt traveled for approximately a quarter of a mile with three flat tires before he came to a complete stop, he was subsequently taken into custody.
Lunstedt was transported to the Lincoln County Jail on charges related to the armed robbery, a prior unrelated felony warrant, and additional charges related to the pursuit.
The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the citizens who provided numerous tips to law enforcement agencies regarding Jacob Lunstedt. The Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the City of Salem Police Department, and the City of Lincoln City Police Department.