Man sets fire to Linn County rest stop, pulls out knife and throws rock at passersby
LINN COUNTY, Ore. (KPTV) – A man is accused of setting a fire at a rest stop off Interstate 5 near Halsey on Wednesday and then threatening a passerby with a knife, according to the Linn County Sheriff’s Office.
Just before 8 a.m., officers responded to reports of a disturbance at the Pioneer Villa Truck Stop east of Halsey.
Witnesses told police they were driving by when they noticed a building on fire and stopped to investigate. They said they caught the suspect, later identified as 22-year-old Omar Ochoa Cervantes of Salem, spraying lighter fluid on a burning electrical box. Omar allegedly pulled a knife from his pocket when someone took the lighter fluid from him.
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A manager of the building put out the flames with a fire extinguisher. Witnesses said Omar came at the manager with the knife. The manager responded by spraying Omar with the fire extinguisher.
Omar then ran away, followed by one of the witnesses. He allegedly tried to throw objects at the witness who was chasing him, including a rock and a deodorant stick, which the witness said hit her in the head.
When deputies and Oregon State Police officers arrived, they found and arrested Omar near I-5.
Deputies said the fire damage was limited to the exterior wall and the fuse box. The extent of the damage has not yet been determined.
Omar was booked into the Linn County Jail and faces charges of first-degree arson, harassment, menacing and fourth-degree attempted assault.
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