Bend, Ore. – Deputies with the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area of 97th Street and Tumalo Road Friday evening. Deputies learned this was an unprovoked assault in which an adult female victim returned to her residence to find her ex-boyfriend, Chad Marcus, inside the residence without her knowledge.
The adult female victim reported being attacked by Marcus at which time Marcus sprayed the female victim with “Bear Spray”. During the assault, Marcus made threatening statements to the female victim. After the assault, Marcus ran from the residence, leaving the “Bear Spray” and a police style collapsible baton behind.
Bear Spray is a type of pepper spray or capsaicin deterrent that is used to deter aggressive bears, typically in a wilderness environment. The effects of Bear Spray on humans include temporary blindness, swelling in the face, burning eyes and lungs, swollen mucous membranes and nasal irritation. Bear Spray contains the same active ingredients as pepper spray.
A roommate who was home at the time called 911 to report the assault and provide police with a direction of where Marcus ran. Deputies and Oregon State Police Troopers established an area of containment and a police tracking K-9 was deployed. Marcus was not located in the area. It was determined; Marcus likely left the area in a vehicle.
The adult female victim was treated by Bend Fire Medics for exposure to the “Bear Spray” and she was decontaminated for exposure at her residence. She was not transported to the hospital for additional treatment.
Several hours later, a deputy spoke with Marcus over the phone and he agreed to turn himself into law enforcement. Deputies met Marcus in the Redmond area and he was taken into custody without incident.
Marcus was arrested and lodged at the Deschutes County Adult Jail on criminal charges of menacing, assault in the forth degree dDomestic violence) and unlawful use of pepper spray.
Due to this being a domestic violence investigation, the victim’s name is being withheld.
