Bend man charged with throwing knife at police

A 28-year-old Bend man was taken into custody Monday morning after throwing a knife at officers who responded to reports he was walking in a bathrobe with the weapon near a northeast Bend intersection, acting like he was throwing it at passing cars, police said.

Officers responded around 9 a.m. to the area of Northeast Butler Market and Wells Acres Road, Lt. Jason Maniscalco said.

Callers to Deschutes County 911 dispatch reported the man, later identified as Gabriel Paul Richards, was “acting” like he was throwing a knife at passing vehicles, Maniscalco said.

Officers contacted the man near the entrance to the Burning Tree Village neighborhood. He “was uncooperative and threw the knife in the direction of officers,” the lieutenant said in a news release.

The officers were able to negotiate with Richards and take him into custody without further incident. He faces charges of menacing and disorderly conduct.

Richards was taken to St. Charles Bend for evaluation, Maniscalco said.