Wetzel was currently in violation of the order by being on the protected person’s property and/or inside the court mandated exclusionary zone around the protected person’s property

CAMAS – On Thursday (Feb. 27) at about 10:18 p.m., Camas Police Department officers responded to a protection order violation occurring at the 2300 block of NE Everett St., Camas. The call was initiated by a court order electronic monitoring system, which alerted 9-1-1 and police that a respondent in a served protection order,  Patrick Wetzel, was currently in violation of the order by being on the protected person’s property and/or inside the court mandated exclusionary zone around the protected person’s property.

Officers arrived in the area and discovered Wetzel’s unoccupied vehicle parked in the driveway of the protected person’s residence. Officers searched the property and located Wetzel hiding inside a large trash bin located on the westside of the property. Wetzel initially refused officer’s verbal commands to exit the trash bin, which led to officers using a pepper-spray projectile and a minimal amount of physical force to safely place him in custody. The involved protected person was inside the residence during this incident, was checked by Officers, and was found to be safe.

Wetzel was transported and booked into the Clark County Jail on charges of Violating a Protection Order and Resisting Arrest.

“There has been a high level of community concern after this subject was released on bail after the previous arrest when he fired several rounds from a firearm into the residential neighborhood,” said Chief Tina Jones. “I am grateful for the quick response to last night’s incident by the Camas Police Department team, as well as surrounding agency partners, including the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, Vancouver Police Department, and Washougal Police Department. I am relieved we were able to coordinate to make an arrest and maintain safety in the neighborhood.”

Information provided by the Camas Police Department.