PORTLAND, Ore. – A man who was high on methamphetamine injected himself with more meth during a 4-hour standoff with officers at a Portland rail yard on Saturday, according to police.
Matthew Joseph Medlin, 32, had been awake for more than 26 hours before he entered the rail yard, located at 3930 Northwest Yeon Street, according to Sgt. Pete Simpson with Portland police.
Police were called to the rail yard after Medlin was seen climbing on rail cars Saturday afternoon.
When officers arrived, Medlin jumped from one rail car into the open bed of a “dumpster-style” car and refused to come out, Simpson said.
Medlin was reportedly holding pieces of metal and rocks and threatening to use them as weapons.
Police said they learned Medlin had a felony warrant on a parole violation. They also learned Medlin was high on meth, and he had several uncooperative encounters with officers in the past.
“While officers were attempting to diffuse Medlin's agitated state, he injected himself with additional methamphetamine and began acting even more erratically,” Simpson said in a news release.
The standoff continued through a thunderstorm and hailstorm Saturday afternoon.
Officers spoke with the police bureau crisis negotiators and the Special Emergency Reaction Team to develop a strategy to safely take Medlin into custody.
“After four hours of communication, officers deployed less-lethal munitions and a Taser during the arrest as Medlin was holding make-shift weapons,” Simpson said.
Medlin dropped what he was holding and was taken into custody. Medics took him to a Portland hospital.
After his release, Medlin was booked into the Multnomah County Jail on charges including criminal mischief, resisting arrest, interfering with a peace officer and disorderly conduct.
More top stories:
Follow us on Facebook for the latest breaking news updates
Watch live or check weather & traffic updates on the go with the KGW News app.
