2nd McDonalds Torched in 2 Weeks (Oregon)

Killing fast foof criminals <!--break--> SISTERS — Deschutes County Sheriff's detectives arrested a Bend man on Wednesday in connection with a fire that destroyed the interior of the McDonald's restaurant here. Nicholas Andrew Patterson, 23, was arrested at 1 a.m., when a car he was driving pulled over at the intersection of South Locust Street and Highway 20 in Sisters, said Capt. Tim Edwards of the Sheriff's Office. "He pulled over for some unknown reason," Edwards said. "When (detectives) saw him pull over, they moved in." Undersheriff Larry Blanton said detectives uncovered strong evidence connecting Patterson to the blaze, but declined to comment on what that evidence is or how it came to light. Blanton said the investigation into the fire is still in progress. Patterson is being held at the Deschutes County Adult Jail on $221,000 bail. Investigators believe Patterson acted alone. "There's no indication he was working with any group," Edwards said. According to the Oregon Judicial Information Network, Patterson has no history of arson or violent crime. He has been convicted of a handful of traffic violations. Patterson, a guitarist, was scheduled to perform at a benefit for Sri Lankan victims of the December tsunami at the Sisters Coffee Co. on Tuesday evening, but didn't show up for the performance, said owner Joy Durham. Detectives located Patterson at a house in the Sisters area, then followed him after he left the home, Edwards said. "They had a number of locations where they thought he might be located and it took a while to find him," he said. Although Patterson lived in Bend, he had strong ties to the Sisters community, according to family friends. Patterson graduated from Sisters High School in 2000, where he was a soft-spoken student, said Principal Bob Macauley. "He was a pleasant person and kind to others," Macauley said. "Hopefully (the charges are) all wrong." Patterson also made a name for himself as a talented guitar player, Macauley said. Durham knew Patterson's parents, who have since moved away from Central Oregon, and employed him as a helper around the Sisters Coffee Co. during summer vacations, she said. "It's just totally uncharacteristic of him," Durham said. "He wouldn't hurt a fly." Patterson moved to Bend after graduating, where he worked construction jobs and played guitar at local venues, Durham said. He shared an apartment near the Old Mill District with two other young men, she said. Central Oregon Community College records show he was enrolled there in the 2004-2005 school year. Patterson made the dean's list in the fall quarter.

<p>Killing fast foof criminals</p> <!--break--><p> SISTERS — Deschutes County Sheriff's detectives arrested a<br /> Bend man on Wednesday in connection with a fire that<br /> destroyed the interior of the McDonald's restaurant here.</p> <p>Nicholas Andrew Patterson, 23, was arrested at 1 a.m.,<br /> when a car he was driving pulled over at the intersection<br /> of South Locust Street and Highway 20 in Sisters, said<br /> Capt. Tim Edwards of the Sheriff's Office.</p> <p>"He pulled over for some unknown reason," Edwards said.<br /> "When (detectives) saw him pull over, they moved in."</p> <p>Undersheriff Larry Blanton said detectives uncovered<br /> strong evidence connecting Patterson to the blaze, but<br /> declined to comment on what that evidence is or how it<br /> came to light. Blanton said the investigation into the<br /> fire is still in progress.</p> <p>Patterson is being held at the Deschutes County Adult Jail<br /> on $221,000 bail.</p> <p>Investigators believe Patterson acted alone.</p> <p>"There's no indication he was working with any group,"<br /> Edwards said.</p> <p>According to the Oregon Judicial Information Network,<br /> Patterson has no history of arson or violent crime. He has<br /> been convicted of a handful of traffic violations.</p> <p>Patterson, a guitarist, was scheduled to perform at a<br /> benefit for Sri Lankan victims of the December tsunami at<br /> the Sisters Coffee Co. on Tuesday evening, but didn't show<br /> up for the performance, said owner Joy Durham.</p> <p>Detectives located Patterson at a house in the Sisters<br /> area, then followed him after he left the home, Edwards<br /> said.</p> <p>"They had a number of locations where they thought he<br /> might be located and it took a while to find him," he<br /> said.</p> <p>Although Patterson lived in Bend, he had strong ties to<br /> the Sisters community, according to family friends.</p> <p>Patterson graduated from Sisters High School in 2000,<br /> where he was a soft-spoken student, said Principal Bob<br /> Macauley.</p> <p>"He was a pleasant person and kind to others," Macauley<br /> said. "Hopefully (the charges are) all wrong."</p> <p>Patterson also made a name for himself as a talented<br /> guitar player, Macauley said.</p> <p>Durham knew Patterson's parents, who have since moved away<br /> from Central Oregon, and employed him as a helper around<br /> the Sisters Coffee Co. during summer vacations, she said.</p> <p>"It's just totally uncharacteristic of him," Durham said.<br /> "He wouldn't hurt a fly."</p> <p>Patterson moved to Bend after graduating, where he worked<br /> construction jobs and played guitar at local venues,<br /> Durham said. He shared an apartment near the Old Mill<br /> District with two other young men, she said.</p> <p>Central Oregon Community College records show he was<br /> enrolled there in the 2004-2005 school year. Patterson<br /> made the dean's list in the fall quarter.</p>