Suspect in recent Elkhart SWAT standoff identified, arrested, charged with felonies

Elkhart County Jail: Efren Oregon

ELKHART, Ind. -- A 19-year-old Mishawaka man has been arrested and charged with felonies following a standoff with the Elkhart Regional SWAT Team on Fremont Street Oct. 16.

The suspect, Efren Oregon Jr., was arrested and charged with Aggravated Battery, a Level 3 Felony, Intimidation with a Deadly Weapon, a Level 5 Felony, and Domestic Battery Committed in the Presence of a Child less than 16 years old, a Level 6 Felony.

Oregon's initial hearing is Thursday.

According to the probable cause affidavit in this case, a call came in regarding a domestic disturbance around 10:02 a.m., leading to officers with the Elkhart Police Department to arrive on scene.

The caller told police Oregon was in the home on Fremont Street with a firearm and had threatened to shoot her. The caller said she and Oregon had gotten into an argument earlier that morning during which Oregon allegedly pushed her down, causing her pain.

Oregon allegedly held the gun to her head after she refused to listen to his instructions.

The victim stated she then followed his instructions, which included calling another man to come over. The victim alleges that Oregon wanted her to call this man over so he could shoot him from inside the home.

When an officer arrived on scene and approached the front door, six-to-eight gunshots were heard coming from inside the home.

Police say at that same time is when the man called to the home had pulled up in a Dodge Charger. The Charger was struck by gunfire, but the driver was uninjured.

SWAT was called to scene to assist with the search for Oregon. SWAT then assisted with executing a search warrant at the residence, during which police say spent shell casings were found in the upstairs bedroom near the window.

Oregon was not found in the house at that time.

The Indiana State Police then assisted in locating Oregon by pinging his cell phone location.

Officers later conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle near W. 9th and Wells Streets in Mishawaka, at which point Oregon was identified as one of the passengers.

He was arrested and taken to Elkhart County Jail.

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