On January 23, 2017, at about 4:00 p.m., Newport Police Officers responded to the Fred Meyer Store at 150 NE 20th Street, on a report of a shoplifter at the location that was actively resisting being detained. Police Officers arrived and learned Fred Meyer Loss Prevention had observed Christopher Michael White, age 29 of Newport, stealing merchandise from the store.

When a Loss Prevention officer attempted to detain White, White used physical force to try to break free and flee the business with the merchandise. Police Officers learned that two agents from the US Forest Service Law Enforcement had been in the business at the time, and had assisted the Loss Prevention officer in detaining White.

As Newport Police Officers took custody of White, he again began resisting and trying to pull away from Officers. While Officers were preparing to place White into the back of a patrol vehicle for transport to the Lincoln County Jail, White struck the side of the patrol vehicle, causing damage. White was transported to the Lincoln County Jail, and lodged on the following charges: Robbery 3rd Degree; Resisting Arrest; Criminal Mischief 2nd Degree; and Theft 3rd Degree. His bail was set at $100,000.