BREMERTON – Bremerton Police used tear gas to force a 51-year-old Seattle area man to exit his motorhome following a 90-minute standoff Feb. 14, according to a press release.
Matthew Earl Allen was stopped by police for expired tabs at the 300 block of Kitsap Way west of Wilbert Avenue.
Police said Allen was behaving erratically and didn’t have identification. They confirmed his identity by checking his Department of Licensing photo from the squad car computer.
Police learned that Allen had active arrest warrants in Skagit County for DUI, obstructing and resisting arrest. He also had “officer safety flags” for having used pepper spray and a bat against officers.
While the officer was checking Allen’s records, Allen opened the rear window of the motorhome and then shouted at the officer. The officer asked Allen to meet him back at the driver-side window.
Allen became hostile after being told he was under arrest and wouldn’t open the window or door, police said.
Police talked with Allen for over an hour – getting him cigarettes at one point – before being told that tear gas would be used to force him out.
Around 1:15 p.m., SWAT-trained officers from Bremerton Police and Kitsap County Sheriff’s officer opened the rear window and put a gas canister in the motorhome.
Allen exited immediately and was then taken to the ground and arrested, police said.
Police asked Allen why he didn’t come out when warned of the gas.
“I didn’t think you would do it,” Allen reportedly said.
He was treated by Bremerton Fire medics and reported having no ill effects from the gas, police said.
Allen sang several bars of the Beatles’ “Let It Be” to attending officers, according to the release.
Allen was taken to Kitsap County Jail and will be later taken to Skagit County Jail.