McMINNVILLE, Ore. --
McMinnville police say they arrested a man during a scuffle at a gas station, and that an officer broke his own hand.
Officers say they went to the Shell station on South Highway 99W just before 4 a.m. Wednesday on reports that a man was trying to steal gas.
Police say they received a call that Richard Barney was trying to take off in his car without paying for gas, but that the car was turned off and the keys were with the caller. Officers say they were also told that Barney shoved a gas attendant and ran toward a nearby Carl’s Jr. restaurant.
Police say someone who claimed to see Barney outside the restaurant said he threw a rock at their car, shattering the windshield.
Officer Aaron Smith and Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office deputy Brian Young arrived at the scene. They said Barney approached them despite being ordered to stop. Smith tried to shock Barney with a Taser but said that did not work, and that they tried to subdue Barney physically.
During the scuffle, the officer and the deputy said Barney tried to grab one of their guns. It was at this moment that Smith broke a bone in his own hand.
Two more officers arrived and managed to put Barney in handcuffs. They say he appeared to be under the influence of drugs.
He is now being held in the Yamhill County Correctional Facility on several charges, including reckless endangering, disorderly conduct and harassment.
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