09/11/08 Bend
 
 
A sex offender crashed a car with stolen plates at a roundabout in Bend.  On Wednesday, just after 7 p.m., Bend Police responded to the roundabout located at Century Drive and Mt. Washington Drive after receiving reports of a vehicle crash at this location.  Callers to 911 dispatch advised a male subject was seen running from the vehicle after the crash.  Additional information was the vehicle had driven off the road and struck a tree while traveling through the roundabout.
 
As Officers arrived on scene they were supplied additional information from a witness as to the location of where the suspect was seen running.  48 year old Willam Rindflesch from Hubbard, OR was located by Law Enforcement a short time later as he was walking down a residential street.  Additional information was a second male subject was inside the vehicle at the time of the crash and fled from the vehicle with Rindflesch.  This individual was located in the same area as Rindflesch.
 
Investigation into this incident determined that Rindflesch was traveling northbound on Century Drive at a high rate of speed and was unable to negotiate the roundabout at Mt. Washington Drive.  Rindflesch drove his vehicle over an embankment just prior to striking a tree.  It was at this time that he fled the vehicle on foot.  Further investigation revealed Rindflesch was in possession of stolen license plates that were affixed to the vehicle.
 
Witnesses to the crash reported prior to Rindflesch entering the roundabout he nearly struck another vehicle head on.  This vehicle was occupied by four occupants, two of which were minor children.  
 
This was a single vehicle crash.  Rindflesch and his passenger were not injured.  As a result of this investigation, Rindflesch was taken into custody and lodged at the Deschutes County Jail on a long list of charges including DUII, failure to perform duties of a driver, driving while suspended, 5 counts of reckless endangering, reckless driving, criminal mischief in the second degree, theft by receiving, and failure to register as a sex offender.    In addition, Rindflesch was taken into custody on three outstanding warrants for his arrest.  Any witnesses to this crash are asked to contact the Bend Police Department at 322-2960.