OREGON — Cesar Banuelo Munoz, 33-years-old, was arrested at a home in the 2200 block of Carlton WY NE after a standoff with the Salem Police SWAT. Munoz, who is known to carry firearms, has been wanted on several warrants and other criminal charges for several months. He has evaded capture, and has continued to make threats against Salem Police officers. During that time Munoz has eluded police in at least two dangerous vehicle pursuits which were discontinued for the safety of the community.
The incident began in the early morning hours of January 14 when officers developed information Munoz was possibly in the residence on Carlton WY. When officers went to investigate, Munoz was spotted as he retreated back into the residence and refused to respond to multiple attempts by officers to make contact with him.
Salem Police SWAT was activated and responded to the scene, closing Carlton WY NE between Williams AV NE and Abrams AV NE. The residence was surrounded, and Munoz could be seen inside of the residence with a firearm in his hand on multiple occasions. There were also two females in the residence, one who exited on her own. Negotiators spoke with Munoz for hours as he continued to hold the firearm, and refused to comply with requests to surrender. At one point he fired a shot from within the residence.
The second female eventually exited the residence while Munoz continued to refuse to surrender. Following the deployment of chemical agents into the residence, Munoz finally surrendered at approximately 12:20 pm. He was in possession of a firearm at the time of his surrender.
Munoz was transported to the Marion County Corrections Facility and booked on charges of Assault in the Second Degree, Unlawful Use of a Weapon and Felon in Possession of a Weapon and on warrants for his arrest.
Munoz has been on the Salem Police Top Ten Most Wanted list, and his capture comes on the sixth anniversary of the Salem Police program.
