The Spokane Police Department makes an arrest on an officer safety subject who broke into a west central home. Nathan K. Berggren (22) was wearing a ballistic vest and refusing to comply with officers. Berggren was arrested for Burglary 1st degree.
On November 9th, 2018, around 11:00am, Nathan K. Berggren was in the area of 200 E. Wedgewood where he was breaking out car windows and slicing tires on some vehicles. A witness, in a neighboring business, was watching the malicious mischief on his surveillance cameras. The witness watched Berggren drive to the Lowe’s parking lot and it appeared Berggren was wearing a green ballistic vest.
Berggren left the location and struck some vehicles as he fled south. The collisions generated phone calls to 911 which gave a vehicle description that was similar to Berggren’s vehicle from Wedgewood. A witness provided information Berggren’s vehicle was in an alley behind 2600 W. Boone Avenue.
Officers responded to Boone, located the vehicle and determined Berggren had entered a residence that he did not live in. Officers saw Berggren inside the residence and saw him wearing the ballistic vest. Officers learned a female and several children were inside the residence.
Earlier this morning, an officer safety flier had been created on Berggren because he had stolen a green ballistic vest from a relative, he had assaulted another relative and made statements he was going to hurt people more than they hurt him.
Officers were told a four year old child had been left on the second floor of the residence. Hostage Negotiators tried to engage Berggren while two SWAT officers used a ladder to covertly make entry through the second floor window and rescue the child.
Berggren, who has a history of assault and resisting arrest, was refusing to cooperate and leave the residence.
Patrol officers, Hostage Negotiators, K9 and the Explosives Device Unit were on scene and assisted during the standoff. SWAT officers made entry at the front door and were able to take Berggren into custody shortly before 1:00pm.
Berggren was booked into the Spokane County Jail for Burglary 1st degree. Additional charges could be added.
John O’Brien
Spokane Police Department
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