Rick Bowmer / AP
One of the militia members occupying a federal wildlife refuge in Oregon was arrested Friday on suspicion of driving a stolen truck — the first arrest since armed protesters took over the refuge two weeks ago.
Kenneth Medenbach, 62, of Crescent, Oregon, was taken into custody by state police at a Safeway more than 30 miles away from the refuge, where he was allegedly spotted driving a truck owned by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The armed militants took over the refuge on Jan. 2, after a protest in the small community against the conviction of two local ranchers. But an armed faction of the protesters headed to Malheur National Wildlife Refuge afterward, and have remained there for nearly two weeks in what has been a tense standoff with local and federal authorities.
The Safeway, the only major supermarket in the city of Burns, has been a common stop for many of the occupiers looking for supplies and food.
Harney County Sheriff officials said two vehicles had been reported stolen by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and were recovered during the arrest.
Since taking over the refuge, the armed protesters have taken control of several of the sheds, barracks and vehicles that were kept there.
A man gets into a truck at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge near Burns, Ore., Friday, Jan. 15, 2016.
Keith Ridler / AP
BuzzFeed News observed several of the men driving trucks with government plates at the refuge, including some with decals for the U.S. Fish And Wildlife Service.
As the standoff has lingered on, Harney County Sheriff Dave Ward has asked locals to stop sending supplies and food to the men at the refuge.
Leaders of the armed group have asked officials for federal lands to be turned over to local ranchers, and for the release of two local ranchers.
No arrests had been made until Friday, and leaders of the group have also said they have broken no laws, arguing that the refuge itself is public land.
Earlier this week, the group also draped a new sign at the entrance of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, calling it the Harney County Resource Center.
Pictures of government vehicles at the refuge appeared to have been fitted with decals with that name as well.
The armed militia members are nearing two weeks at the refuge.
LINK: Tensions Rise As Another Heavily-Armed Militia Arrives At Oregon Refuge
LINK: Oregon Militia Wants Hay, Menthol 100s, And French Vanilla Creamer
LINK: Inside The Occupied Federal Refuge In Oregon
LINK: The Oregon Militia's Refuge Takeover Is Helping Recruitment
LINK: Oregon Sheriff Says Militant Occupiers Will Face Federal Charges
LINK: Oregon Residents Call For End Of Armed Militia Occupation
LINK: Officials Using Intermediaries To Communicate With Armed Group In Oregon
from BuzzFeed - USNews http://ift.tt/1n1uYr7
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