SWAT Team Takes Escaped Inmate Into Custody Unconscious

(WOODBURN, Ore.) - The Marion County SWAT team entered a Woodburn home just after 5:30 PM today after an hours-long standoff and found an escaped prison inmate named Arturo Salinas unconscious. Spokesman for the Sheriff's Office Kevin Rau says Salinas is being transported to Salem Hospital at this time. He had no apparent injuries.

It started around noon today when deputies were contacted by Hubbard PD and informed that Arturo Salinas, the inmate reported to have escaped from the Santiam Correctional Institution over the weekend, was holed up inside.

The Marion County Interagency SWAT team was called to the scene. Over the course of more than five hours, negotiators spoke with Mr Salinas several times.

During the standoff investigators determined that 70-year-old Loren Thompson, who lives at the 11823 Carl Rd Address, was inside the residence and Mr. Salinas was not letting him leave.

Rau says it is unclear at this time what, if any, preexisting relationship there was between Salinas and Mr. Thompson.

The 70-year old gentleman was not injured. Rau says deputies all feel very fortunate to resolve a situation in this manner, with no shots fired and no injuries.

Rau says SWAT Team members fired a flash band grenade for distraction and entered the residence, that's when they found Salinas. "We have no idea why he was unconscious, some of the people thought it was odd as he had been communicating just before that."

Agencies on scene included the Marion County Sheriff's Office, Woodburn Police, Hubbard Police and the Oregon State Police. Also assisting were Marion County Fire and Public Works.

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Anonymous March 27, 2007 3:33 pm (Pacific time)

The cops arrest an escaped prison inmate, and you are faulting them on cost? They were already on the clock, that means that other than overtime incurred, it didn't cost any more for the cops to respond except some gas. Other communities have cops blowing guys like that away, I commend local law enforcement for a job well done. As for being unconscious, you may have to ask the inmate, because who knows? Try not to find suspicion in everything and look for the good things.

Hank Ruark March 27, 2007 2:30 pm (Pacific time)

Re "unconscious", syncope sometimes caused by stress ...personal experience. Re cost-estimate, impossible but surely cheaper to manage society more efficiently, thus prevent or reduce number of such situations. We remain morally and economically deficient to let such draining-straining attack continue from whatever cause.

Osotan; March 27, 2007 7:21 am (Pacific time)

yes, a good outcome. Luckey it was not a suspected narco-terrorist instead of a minimum security escapee or the whole city would have been cordoned off!.,and I still would like to know what sent Mr. Salinas to altered consciousness. Thank you S-N!

Allen March 26, 2007 9:49 pm (Pacific time)

It would be swell if somebody with ability were to estimate what that event cost we taxpayers. Bomb squad, SWAT and who else. How about a good guess?

Tim King March 26, 2007 7:12 pm (Pacific time)

They thought it was odd, they say they have no idea why he was unconscious. It was a good outcome.

Osotan; March 26, 2007 6:45 pm (Pacific time)

very interesting..,tell me more about "unconscious".

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