Was holding knife at his own throat when officers found him, police say

Ashland police arrested a man Wednesday evening after he reportedly threatened people  on the Ashland Plaza with a knife and threw items at cars, according to a police department news release.

The reports came in about 7:45 p.m. Responding officers searched the area and found a man, later identified as Ashland resident Vander Bevill, 23, holding a knife to his own throat, according to the release. 

Officers carrying a bean bag shotgun confronted Bevill and ordered him to drop the knife. Bevill dropped the knife and fled on foot. Pursuing officers caught Bevill and took him into custody without further incident after additional officers arrived on scene.

Bevill was booked into Jackson County Jail on charges of disorderly conduct, menacing, unlawful use of a weapon and interfering with a police officer. He was no longer in custody as of 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10.

Court records show Bevill was previously arrested and convicted of misdemeanor disorderly conduct during an incident on May 20 at the Astro Gas Station in Central Point. Witnesses said he “came running down the road and asked them to call the police,” according to a police report. He then yelled at staff and was unable to tell responding officers how he got there or what happened to him beforehand. At the time he was listed as a resident of Talent.

Email Ashland.news Executive Editor Bert Etling at betling@ashland.news or call or text him at 541-631-1313.