On 01/06/2023 at around 3:45 pm, the Newport Police Department responded to a Grocery store at 2220 North Coast Highway in Newport on the report of a subject, later identified as 35-year old Brett E. Walker who had threatened a retail employee with a knife. Employees stated that the Walker, who was trespassed the previous day while stealing items, returned and again began selecting items to steal. An employee confronted Walker and told him to return the items and leave the store. He became agitated and began throwing items on the ground. According to police Walker then revealed part of a large fixed blade knife that was concealed inside of the right sleeve of his jacket and threatened to kill the employee.
He then left the store with two of the stolen items and walked north along Hwy 101. Newport Police officers located Walker at a business just north of Walmart in front of another business on Hwy 101. He was agitated, and refused to obey commands from Officers, and began trying to walk away from them. Newport police officers told Walker he was going to be placed in handcuffs. Walker told Officers they were not going to place him in handcuffs, they were going to have to shoot him. Officers continued trying to de-escalate the situation and find a safe way to apprehend Mr. Walker without anyone getting hurt.
At one point during the incident, Walker quickly reached for the handle of the concealed knife as if he were going to attempt an attack on a nearby Officer. A cover Officer approached Walker with a drawn firearm to protect the other Officer from an attack with the knife. Walker let go of the knife, raised his hands, and became compliant with commands and was taken into custody safely.
Walker was arrested at the scene and lodged at the Lincoln County Jail on the following charges; Robbery in the second degree, Menacing, Unlawful Use of Weapon, Disorderly Conduct in the second degree, Theft in the third degree and Criminal Trespass in the second degree. The Newport Police Department was assisted by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.
