A series of neighbors and witnesses were instrumental in the capture of a suspect sought in connection with a home burglary in northeast Bend Friday morning, said police.

At about 10 a.m. December 29, Bend Police officers responded to 2328 NE Meadow Lane for a reported burglary that had occurred about 20 minutes earlier, said Lt. Gary Mack.

Officers found the door of the residence had been forced open, and neighbors reported seeing a man near the backdoor who then ran east.  In checking the area, other witnesses near Ensworth Elementary School reported seeing the suspect heading toward NE Moonlight Drive.  Officers then found another witness who reported seeing a man matching the suspect’s description enter an apartment at 1695 NE Purcell Blvd. 

Richard Allan Keefer, 31, was identified by witnesses as the man running from the burglary scene, said the lieutenant.  He was taken into custody without incident at his apartment, and will face charges of first-degree burglary and theft, and second-degree criminal mischief.