GRANTS PASS, Ore. — A standoff in a residential neighborhood in Grants Pass ended Wednesday morning with the arrest of a felony suspect who had been hiding in a crawlspace for several hours.
At approximately 10 a.m., the Grants Pass 9-1-1 center received a call reporting a violent disturbance at a residence on NE 8th Street. A female victim told dispatchers that a man had threatened her life with a knife, attempted to stab her, and sprayed her with bear spray before fleeing the scene on foot.
The suspect, identified as 51-year-old Barney Clem, was last seen wearing a bright orange shirt. Responding officers quickly spotted Clem walking on NE B Street but saw him enter a known nuisance residence. When officers attempted to make contact, Clem refused to cooperate, prompting a larger law enforcement response.
During the initial sweep of the property, officers discovered Bryan Suthann, a 36-year-old male who was wanted for a parole violation. Suthann was also found in possession of methamphetamine and was arrested without incident. Despite hearing movement within the residence, officers were unable to locate Clem immediately, leading them to request assistance from the Grants Pass Police SWAT team.
The SWAT team arrived at the scene and initiated a standoff that lasted for approximately three hours. Officers deployed multiple irritant canisters into the attic and crawlspace of the residence in an attempt to force Clem to surrender. After several hours of tense negotiations and tactical maneuvers, Clem eventually emerged and surrendered to authorities.
Clem was taken into custody and transported to the Josephine County Jail, where he is facing charges of menacing, unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful use of mace/pepper spray, and third-degree escape. The Josephine County District Attorney’s Office is reviewing the case for additional charges, including attempted assault.
Suthann was also lodged at the Josephine County Jail on charges related to his parole violation and possession of a controlled substance.
The incident highlights the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in dealing with armed and dangerous suspects, as well as the collaboration between various units, including patrol officers and specialized SWAT teams, to ensure public safety during high-risk situations.