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Police: Naked suspect found pants while fleeing

James Bufford fled police while wearing only his underwear and lost the clothing item while climbing over a fence.

By Ben Hooper
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SALEM, Ore., Oct. 30 (UPI) -- Police in Oregon said a sex offender lost his underwear while fleeing police, but managed to find a pair of replacement pants before being arrested.

Lt. Dave Okada of the Salem Police said an officer visited a West Salem residence about 8:30 a.m. Tuesday after learning James Bufford, 49, a convicted rapist who had a warrant out for failing to register as a sex offender, was staying at the home.

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Okada said Bufford came to the door wearing only his underwear and fled without additional clothes when he realized a police officer was outside the home.

Police chased Bufford through the neighborhood and soon discovered the suspect had become completely nude.

"We believe in going over a fence that he lost that underwear," Okada told the Salem Statesman Journal.

A K-9 unit helped police track Bufford to a home undergoing renovations. He was found wearing a pair of pants.

The home was empty at the time of Bufford's arrest, but resident Holly Tindall soon arrived for a scheduled meeting with contractors. She said the pants worn by the suspect belonged to her husband, Damon.

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"The policeman asked me if I wanted Damon's pants back and I said, 'No,' and he said, 'Thank you, I appreciate that,'" Tindall told KPTV.

Bufford was arrested on charges including burglary, criminal mischief, theft, escape and interfering with a police officer.

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