TIGARD, Ore. (KOIN) — A wanted man allegedly pepper sprayed an Oregon State Police trooper and entered strangers’ homes before he was arrested Tuesday.
It started around 4:15 p.m. when an OSP trooper spotted a suspicious car on 129th Avenue. The trooper tried to make contact with the man inside the car, but he became “combative” and started acting violently, according to OSP.
The trooper and suspect, who was later identified as 24-year-old John Michael Auer, struggled until Auer allegedly pepper sprayed the trooper in the face.
That’s when Auer took off and entered homes in the neighborhood.
Authorities who were called in to help started containing the area as Auer broke into at least 2 homes not far from where he assaulted the trooper, OSP said.
Residents in the neighborhood got an automated message to stay inside.
Meanwhile, police said they spotted Auer as he was going into someone’s garage. He fled through a window and hid near a neighboring home until police reached him.
He was arrested and charged with assault and 2 counts of burglary and escape, according to OSP. He also reportedly had 2 warrants out for his arrest.
Auer was hospitalized for a medical condition and will be booked into jail soon.
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