HPD arrests armed man

By on Tuesday, March 18th, 2025 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

HERMISTON – Hermiston police responded to an alarm at Ranch and Home, 2500 S. Highway 395 Friday night. Officers found a door open on the west side of the building. As the investigation continued, officers learned a man had been in the building, smashed a gun counter display, and appeared to have taken multiple firearms and ammunition.

Police Chief Jason Edmiston said that Hermiston officers were backed up by first responders from the Stanfield Police Department, Umatilla Police Department, Oregon State Police, and Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office in setting up a perimeter. Morrow County Sheriff’s Office responded as well with its K9 unit.

Mitchell Harmon, 31, a transient, was found hiding near Kelly Boulevard and East Penny Avenue. Edmiston said he was armed.

“Harmon had a loaded 9mm handgun underneath him with the hammer back, and another loaded handgun with the hammer back in his backpack,” Edmiston said. “Several boxes of ammunition were also found with Harmon. Harmon was taken into custody on multiple felony charges.”

Edmiston said Harmon has a record of 10 arrests and 46 charges from law enforcement in the area. This was not the first time he has hit Ranch and Home. He self-reported nearly the exact same crime in June 2024.

“Harmon has been charged numerous times with misuse of 911,” Edmiston said. “He is often calling while in crisis and demanding officers shoot him upon contact. Despite being lodged in February on a probation violation, here our officers are again, dealing with an individual that needs significant help. Unfortunately, because of the constant finger pointing and lack of individual accountability in our current criminal justice system, it is just a matter of time before Harmon forces an escalation that nobody in law enforcement wants.”

Edmiston said HPD values the support of the partner agencies.

“We know even with the increase in staffing we recently experienced, this investigation would not have concluded that night without the additional resources to establish a perimeter in this industrial area,” he said.

Harmon is in Umatilla County Jail. Felony charges against him are second-degree burglary, first-degree criminal mischief (vandalism), two counts of first-degree theft, two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm, and one count of first-degree criminal trespass. He is also charged with misdemeanor second-degree theft, and a parole violation.