SALEM, Ore. — Salem police arrested a 40-year-old Salem man and seized multiple firearms and controlled substances following a late-night operation on May 1, 2026, authorities said.
Officers took Wyatt Tripp into custody at approximately 11:25 p.m. after responding to a coordinated attempt-to-locate alert issued by the Turner Police Department. Turner officers had developed probable cause in a felon-in-possession investigation after an earlier incident at Turner Lake, where Tripp allegedly displayed a vintage bolt-action rifle to individuals.
According to police, Salem officers located Tripp’s blue Ford Ranger parked in the northeast lot of Riverfront Park. Tripp was found inside the vehicle. During the response, a police Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) observed Tripp shining a light toward the drone and relocating his vehicle to a southern parking lot.
Officers used a patrol vehicle maneuver to box in the truck and safely detained Tripp without further incident.
During the arrest, Tripp was found wearing a tactical vest containing additional rifle magazines. A rifle was also observed on the bench seat of the vehicle, according to police.
Following the arrest, officers obtained a judicial search warrant. A subsequent search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of a fully loaded large-caliber AR-style rifle, a 9mm pistol, and approximately 19.2 grams of methamphetamine.
Tripp was transported and lodged at the Marion County Jail on multiple charges, including Felon in Possession of a Weapon and Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine.
He is scheduled for arraignment at 1:30 p.m. today at the Marion County Court Annex, located at 4000 Aumsville Highway SE.
Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing and further inquiries should be directed to the Marion County District Attorney’s Office.
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