Reported threat with machete-like object leads to La Pine man’s arrest at COCC’s Redmond campus
(Update: Redmond Police provide details of incident)
REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) – A La Pine-area man was arrested after he allegedly threatened and chased someone with a metal object resembling a machete outside of a COCC Redmond Campus building Monday afternoon, then went inside without it, prompting a large police call-out.
Redmond police were joined by Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies, Oregon State Police troopers and Bend police in responding to the threat report shortly before 4 p.m., Lt. Curtis Chambers said.
Dispatchers received a 911 call reporting a man armed with a machete was threatening people and had entered COCC Building 2 on College Loop in Redmond, Chambers said.
“Consistent with training and inter-agency agreements, numerous law enforcement officers responded immediately,” Chambers said Tuesday in a news release.
A witness reported seeing about 10 police, some with guns drawn, and a K-9 team around 4 p.m.
Officers, deputies and troopers secured the location and located the suspect inside the building, taking the 51-year-old La Pine-area man into custody.
An investigation determined the suspect threatened and chased the reporting person “with a large metal object resembling a machete” outside of the building, Chambers said. He then entered the building without the object in hand.
“The suspect did not commit any crimes, possess any weapons or threaten the safety of others while inside the COCC building,” Chambers said.
The suspect was booked into the county jail in Bend on charges of coercion, menacing and second-degree disorderly conduct.
No injuries were reported.
"Redmond Police and all Central Oregon law enforcement agencies regularly train for this type of incident," Chambers said.
In fact, he noted, "All Central Oregon police and fire agencies recently completed a 'worst-case scenario' training" at Redmond's Elton Gregory Middle School.
"The training on June 21st closely resembled this incident and helped prepare responding officers for this and any future similar incidents" the lieutenant said.
