WELCHES, OR (KPTV) -
Two men and a woman are facing burglary and robbery charges after their plan to break in to a mountain home was foiled by a resident and a neighbor, according to authorities.
According to the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, the two men were armed, one with a knife and the other with a bat, when they forced their way into the home on Mountain Air Drive in Welches late Saturday morning.
A neighbor helped one of the home's residents as he confronted the suspects. They managed to detain the suspect with the bat until deputies arrived. The second suspect who had fled the scene was arrested a short time later after being spotted a few blocks away. Police said they found a large knife in his possession.
An investigation revealed that the burglary plot was planned in advance with the help of a third suspect, a woman who was staying at the home. She had been driving other residents to "Hempstalk 2012" at Kelly Point Park in Portland while the attempted break-in was taking place. As part of the plot, police said, the home was supposed to be vacant at the time.
The suspects have been identified as Keith Alan Tupper, 18, of Gresham; John Lewis Dixon Jr, 19, of Portland; and Melinda Dawn Hanke, 26, of Gresham. All three were booked into the Clackamas County Jail.
Anyone with information about the crime is encouraged to contact the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office's confidential Tip Line by phone at 503-723-4949 or by using the online email form. Please reference Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Case #12-26987.
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