Brothers plead guilty to crime spree after arrest in Rhododendron

RHODODENDRON, Ore. — Two brothers arrested during an April 6 pursuit in Rhododendron pleaded guilty to numerous crimes, the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office said.

Deputies arrested Aaron Edward Dean Neace, 29, of Beavercreek, and Clayton James Neace, 27, of Wood Village, after responding to a reported break-in at a cabin. Investigators say surveillance cameras caught the two men committing the burglary on April 6 at around 11 a.m.

As law enforcement drove down Road 35 to the cabin, they encountered the suspects in a Subaru, leaving the crime scene on the same road and heading toward authorities.

The sheriff's office said a deputy stepped out of a patrol car to approach the Subaru, but the driver put the vehicle into reverse and fled.

Deputies pursued them and pinned them when the suspects drove off the road.

The suspects got out of their car and ran across Highway 26 into the forest, the sheriff's office said.

Deputies used a K-9 to locate both Aaron Neace and Clayton Neace within an hour.

Investigators found stolen property from the cabin, methamphetamine, and a pellet gun inside the Subaru.

The sheriff's office said Aaron Neace was also a suspect in several theft, burglary, criminal mischief and meth possession and distribution cases. Authorities recovered a stolen John Deer tractor, several stolen Subarus, and a stolen moped and believe the brothers were involved in all the thefts.

Aaron Neace pleaded guilty to charges of first-degree burglary and distribution of a controlled substance - methamphetamine in connection to the incident that occurred on April 6 in Rhododendron.

He also pleaded guilty to three counts of possession of a stolen motor vehicle and distribution of a controlled substance - methamphetamine in connection with the multiple stolen vehicles investigators found.

And in another stolen vehicles case, he pleaded guilty to three counts of possession of a stolen motor vehicle and first-degree aggravated theft.

Aaron Neace was sentenced to six years and eight months in state prison. He and his wife Tiffany Bailey may face additional charges. They are listed as suspects in more crimes that occurred in Hood River County.

Clayton Neace pleaded guilty to first-degree burglary and first-degree theft in connection to the incident in Rhododendron. He was sentenced to 29 months in prison.