Prineville, Ore. – The Crook County Justice Center was placed on lockdown Tuesday morning after a Prineville man parked on a sidewalk near the courthouse and told deputies he believed his vehicle contained an improvised explosive device.
According to the Crook County Sheriff’s Office, the incident began at approximately 11:17 a.m. on September 30th, when deputies stationed at the Justice Center’s security desk observed a tan-colored car drive northbound on the sidewalk along NW Beaver Street, between NW 1st and NW 2nd streets. The driver, later identified as Jacob Haugen of Prineville, parked near the courthouse before entering the security checkpoint.
Deputies say Haugen told them he was concerned there was an explosive device in his car. As a precaution, law enforcement secured the area and blocked off surrounding businesses for about 30 minutes. The Justice Center itself was placed on lockdown while the vehicle was searched. No explosive device was located.
Following the investigation, deputies arrested Haugen on charges of Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and First-Degree Disorderly Conduct. He was booked into the Crook County Jail.
The Sheriff’s Office credited a coordinated response that included the Prineville Police Department, City of Prineville Public Works, Crook County Fire & Rescue, and STAR Towing.
Authorities emphasized that while no explosive device was found, the incident caused significant disruption in downtown Prineville during the midday hour.
Mr. Alderman is an investigative journalist specializing in government transparency, non-profit accountability, consumer protection, and is a subject mater expert on Oregon’s public records and meetings laws. As a former U.S. Army Military Police Officer, he brings a disciplined investigative approach to his reporting that has frequently exposed ethics violations, financial mismanagement, and transparency failures by public officials and agencies.
