On the eve of Beaverton's May 19 primary, City Council challenger Antonio C. Pirog spent part of his night in police custody, after officers say a man near the Beaverton City Library told people he was armed and left them feeling threatened.
Police later identified that man as Pirog and arrested him on suspicion of menacing and unlawful use of a weapon, turning an already competitive race for Position 5 into a last-minute headline-maker.
What police say
As reported by KGW, Beaverton Police say officers responded around 9 p.m. on May 18 after a caller near the library reported that a man had revealed he was armed and people in the area felt threatened.
Officers identified the suspect as 46-year-old Antonio C. Pirog, according to the department's release. He was arrested on charges of menacing and unlawful use of a weapon.
Candidate on the ballot
The city's election materials and the official City of Beaverton voters' pamphlet list Pirog as the Position 5 challenger to incumbent John Dugger. The pamphlet includes a statement outlining Pirog's environmental studies background and public-service roles.
The Pirog for Beaverton site similarly describes his experience and a self-styled, data-driven approach to local governance.
Investigation and legal picture
Investigators are gathering evidence and asking witnesses to contact the department, according to a release from the Beaverton Police Department.
Under Oregon law, menacing is defined in ORS 163.190 and is a Class A misdemeanor, according to Justia. Unlawful use of a weapon is addressed in ORS 166.220, which covers attempting to use or possessing a dangerous weapon with intent to use it unlawfully, according to Oregon Public Law.
Next steps
The arrest came as ballots were being distributed for the May 19 primary, according to the City's voters' pamphlet, and the Beaverton Police Department has asked anyone with information to contact investigators or call the department's non-emergency line.
This story will be updated as authorities release more information.
