December 24, 2019 4:20 a.m.
A police K9 captured a wanted man after a lengthy standoff in rural Douglas County on Monday.
Sergeant Brad O’Dell of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said the incident began just before 11:15 a.m. when deputies attempted to make contact with 39-year old Rodger Royle at a residence in the 34,000 block of Tiller Trail Highway regarding an arrest warrant.
O’Dell said deputies later made a radio transmission that a man had retrieved a rifle with a scope. Deputies requested the help of additional resources. Assistance came from the Myrtle Creek Police, Oregon State Police, Eagle Point Police and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. In addition, the DCSO Tactical Response Team and the Jackson County SWAT Team were dispatched to the scene, located near the Douglas/Jackson County border.
O’Dell said deputies attempted to negotiate with Royle for nearly four hours but received no response. Shortly before 3:00 p.m., the Tactical Response Team deployed gas into the shed where Royle was located and still did not hear from the suspect. Additional gas was deployed at which time Royle ran out of the building.
K9 Zoro captured Royle until deputies took him into custody at about 3:15 p.m.
Royle was initially charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, disorderly conduct, third degree escape, resisting arrest, menacing, and for multiple arrest warrants. He was detained on $271,250 bail.
O’Dell said deputies located a firearm as well as ammunition after Royle was detained.