Man In Custody After Multi-Day Search In Olympic National Park

Seattle WA

01 September, 2021

1:57 PM

Description

PORT ANGELES, WA — A 41-year-old Port Angeles man was arrested without incident Tuesday night after a multi-day operation involving more than a half dozen law enforcement agencies in Olympic National Park. Investigators had searched for the man, who they believed was armed and experiencing mental distress, since Sunday leading to campground evacuations and other closures around the park's Hurricane Ridge and Deer Park areas. In a news release Wednesday afternoon, the National Park Service provided new details about the prolonged situation. Around 2 a.m. Sunday morning, officials said the park received a report concerning a suspicious vehicle and downed trees blocking access to Deer Park Road. Park staff found three trees were cut with a chain saw, and two fell over the road. Investigators determined the vehicle at the scene belonged to a man who a 911 caller described as heavily armed and exhibiting concerning behavior, officials said. Park staff began to evacuate areas and campgrounds around Deer Park and Hurricane Ridge and helped backpackers and other visitors get to safety. More than two hours after the first incident, the park received reports of a fire burning near some power lines along Hurricane Ridge Parkway. Officials estimated the fire burned a roughly 100-by-100 foot area before it was extinguished with help from three fire departments. Later that afternoon, the Blue Mountain radio repeater stopped functioning. Investigators are still determining whether all three incidents were related. Closures remained in place while a search for the man continued until late Tuesday night when he was taken into custody. The operation included assistance from the FBI, Clallam County Sheriff's Office, Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, Port Angeles Police Department, Port Townsend Police Department, Sequim Police Department, Olympic Peninsula Narcotics Enforcement Team, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, and the National Park Service's Pacific West Special Event Team. Hurricane Ridge reopened Wednesday, along with the Deer Ridge and Slab Creek trailheads. Visitors can find updated road and weather information by calling 360-565-3131 or check for alerts on the Olympic National Park website.