Linn County Sheriff Michelle Duncan reports on August 21, 2024, at 7:52 a.m., the Linn County Sheriff’s Dispatch Center received a 911 call of an armed disturbance at the Pioneer Villa east of Halsey. The caller reported a male pulled a knife on them after starting a fire at one of the buildings.
The caller reported the male ran off after the confrontation. Multiple deputies and Oregon State Police Troopers responded to the area. The male, identified as Omar Ochoa Cervantes, 22, of Salem, was captured near Interstate 5 after attempting to leave the area.
During the investigation, deputies learned passing motorists noticed a fire on the building. When witnesses went to inspect the fire, they observed Omar spraying lighter fluid on an active fire consuming the electrical box. Witnesses described Omar pulling a knife out of his pocket after someone took the lighter fluid from him.
A manager from the building used a fire extinguisher on the fire and, soon after, Omar walked toward the manager with the knife causing the manager to spray Omar with the fire extinguisher. Omar began leaving the area and witnesses provided continuous updates to dispatch on his direction of travel. During the police response, Omar attempted to throw things at a pursuing witness, to include a rock and a stick of deodorant which struck a witness in the head.
Due to quick actions of the witnesses, the damage was minimized, and the fire was limited to the exterior wall and electrical box. The value of the damage is still under investigation.
Omar was ultimately arrested and transported to the Linn County Jail where he was lodged on charges of Arson I, Harassment, Menacing and Attempted Assault IV. Linn County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Oregon State Police and Halsey Fire Department.