A 37-year-old Philomath man was arrested Friday evening after allegedly robbing the Philomath Liquor Store and resisting arrest while armed with a loaded handgun.
Isaiah Lemuel Haywood was taken into custody about a block from the liquor store near the intersection of Main Street and South 17th Street after police were dispatched at 5:20 p.m.
According to police reports, Haywood entered the liquor store and grabbed a bottle of vodka, then attempted to barter with an employee over the price. When that failed, Haywood allegedly lunged over the counter and forcefully took the bottle from the employee before fleeing the store.
Philomath officers responded to the robbery call and located the 6-foot-2, 240-pound Haywood a short distance away. Chief of Police Dave Gurski said the suspect scuffled with officers during the arrest and while placing him in handcuffs, a loaded 9mm handgun was discovered in his waistband.
Haywood was transported to the Benton County Jail and faces multiple charges including a Class C felony charge of third-degree robbery along with Class A misdemeanor charges of resisting arrest and unlawful possession of a firearm. The theft charge was classified as a Class C misdemeanor because the merchandise was valued at less than $100.
All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The incident was the beginning of a busy weekend for Philomath Police, a stretch that also included an arrest for driving under the influence of intoxicants, a woman’s alleged assault of a teen and a vehicle that crashed into a parked car at Applegate and 11th Street near the farmers’ market.
Police also wrote “a ton of tickets this weekend,” Gurski said.
