Salem Police arrested a 23-year-old Salem man on multiple charges after he allegedly held them at bay in the bedroom of his home for nearly two hours Wednesday morning.
Police were originally called to the home of Matthew Whiting of the 200 block of West Warmoth Street after he was involved in an alleged domestic battery with his brother. When police arrived, Whiting was in his bedroom with the door open. He was armed with a hatchet he threatened to use on the heads of police officers and with a sword held to his neck allegedly threatening to kill himself. Whiting told police he would not go back to jail and would either stay in his bedroom or kill himself.
Police report they stayed back and communicated with Whiting from the living room. When Whiting allegedly asked for strawberry milk and a Klondike Bar, police used the opportunity to take Whiting the items and move closer. With Whiting handling the milk and Klondike Bar they used the opportunity to grab the hatchet and throw it out of his reach. They were later able to grab the sword blade while wearing a pair of gloves and also throw it out of reach.
Police then told Whiting he was going to be arrested. He reportedly fought being handcuffed and eventually was taken to the floor and tased before police got the handcuffs on. Whiting then reportedly went limp and had to be carried out of the home to an ambulance which helped get him to the Marion County Jail.
He is being held for alleged domestic battery, resisting/obstructing a peace officer, unlawful use of a weapon, and possession of ammunition without a FOID card after a rifle cartridge was allegedly found in one of his pockets.
Salem Police received the initial call at 7:04 Wednesday morning. Whiting arrived at the Marion County Jail about two hours later.
