Armed intruder found at EMS headquarters

SANDPOINT — A man apparently in the throes of a mental health episode was taken into custody without incident Monday after entering Bonner County EMS Chief Robert Wakeley’s office and making a random phone call.

Wakeley said he opened his private office that morning and went to check in with staff in the crew quarters. He was then advised there was some sort of disturbance in his office.

“I walked into my office and there’s a guy I’ve never seen before sitting behind my desk, talking on my phone,” said Wakeley.

Wakeley said the man discovered a name and phone number on his desktop and called the person. The subject was making “hyper-religious” remarks and questioning the morality of the person on the other end of the line.

“It wasn’t a person that was known to him,” Wakeley said.

The man refused to hang up the phone or identify himself. Wakeley said he also noticed the man had placed a serrated kitchen knife on his desk.

“He didn’t really touch the knife or threaten me, but discretion being the better part of valor, I back-tailed out and called 911,” said Wakeley.

Ponderay Police Chief Mike Hutter was coincidentally in the neighborhood and responded, as did Sandpoint Police officers.

“He was taken into custody calmly and professionally,” Wakeley said.

The man was reportedly taken to Bonner General Hospital for an evaluation and criminal charges are not being pursued.