8/25/2009 - Redmond

6:00 AM on Tuesday, this busy intersection of Highway 97 and Odem Medo Road is closed for a high risk traffic stop.

"Suspects will be ordered out at gunpoint," said Detective Evan with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office.

Four people are arrested, accused of robbery, assault, conspiracy, theft, menacing and harassment. Thirty minutes prior, a 911 call from this pay phone at Ogden Wayside started the chase. Richard Jacobsen, with fresh bruises, says he had been with the four who were arrested before they beat him and stole from him $4,200.

"The four guys in the car are trying to tell the police department that I gave them the money for drugs, for pot," said Jacobsen.

Jefferson County detectives say the case is under investigation. For now, they're holding on to the money.

"It depends on what part it plays in the crime," said Detective Evan.

Drug activity on Highway 97 is a frequent occurrence. Headlines since late May:

• Traffic stop leads to 1.5 lbs. of marijuana, one arrest north of Redmond.

• OSP traffic stop leads to discovery of crack cocaine, two arrests south of Bend.

• Traffic contact leads to 2 lbs. of marijuana and three arrests in Bend area.

• 185 marijuana plants seized during traffic stop. Hwy. 97 near Bend.

It's enough for the Oregon State Police to dedicate Lola, a drug dog to Central Oregon.

"Her primary goal or job is to work Highway 97 and apprehend people who transport illegal narcotics up and down our state highways," said Senior Oregon State Police Trooper Jason Hansen.

Summer traffic, some of it drug traffic on Highway 97, is keeping Lola busy.

"In the last month or so, she's probably had eight to ten deployments," said Hansen.