Salem, OR. — A 31-year-old Salem man was arrested Sunday night after police responded to a reported restraining order violation at a home in southeast Salem.
Officers were dispatched around 7:00 p.m. on Feb. 22 to a residence in the 4900 block of Periwinkle Drive SE. According to authorities, Cristian Mercado was found to be in violation of an existing protection order that prohibited him from contacting the victim and her three children.
Police said the victim was at work when she called to report the violation, noting that location services on her children’s phones had been turned off. Mercado also had a confirmed warrant for a domestic violence-related assault involving the same victim and was believed to have access to firearms.
Officers contained the residence and attempted to communicate with Mercado for an extended period. Authorities said he remained on the phone only briefly at times, limiting negotiation efforts. The Salem Police SWAT team and Crisis Negotiations Team were called to assist.
At approximately 11:45 p.m., Mercado surrendered without further incident.
He was lodged at the Marion County Jail on four counts of violating a restraining order, in addition to the outstanding domestic violence-related warrant.
The investigation remains ongoing. Further inquiries are being directed to the Marion County District Attorney’s Office.
All individuals are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
About the Author
