Man with Toy Guns Causes Disturbance

Hermiston police arrested a 62-year-old man on Wednesday on disorderly conduct charges after he was spotted with what turned out to be a toy gun and acting belligerently.

The incident began around 12:38 p.m. when an employee with the Umatilla County District Attorney’s Office observed a man walking around the area of the Stafford Hansell Government Center and the Eastern Oregon Higher Education Center with what appeared to be a handgun.

Police responded and were advised the male had walked in the EOHEC building. Officers located Richard J. Mills, a 62-year-old transient inside. Mills began to yell and cause a disturbance and was immediately taken into custody, charged with disorderly conduct, and later transported to the Umatilla County Jail in Pendleton.

Mills had two air soft-style handguns in his possession. Both guns were seized as evidence.

“We have dealt with Mr. Mills numerous times over the last several years,” said Hermiston Police Chief Jason Edmiston. “His demeanor and aggressiveness with our officers during those incidents, continues to escalate. The decision by Mr. Mills to walk around the courthouse and ultimately into the education building is very unfortunate as there were numerous people inside. Our officers responded appropriately and took immediate action.”