ALFALFA, Ore. – Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies arrested a 65-year-old man on several charges Tuesday morning, accused of stealing items from Alfalfa Market Store and damaging the store's exterior as he drove away, just one day after allegedly trespassing at a local deputy’s home and threatening his family.

At 8:40 a.m., deputies responded to a reported theft and disturbance at the Alfalfa Market Store, east of Bend on Willard Road, Public Information Officer Jason Carr said.

Store workers reported that William Joseph Demmon, with no known address, was taking items without paying. Carr said that "Demmon walked outside with the items, confronted customers, and then got into his vehicle. As he attempted to drive away, he struck and damaged the store’s awning, flower boxes, and surrounding landscaping."

Deputies arrived and immediately contacted Demmon, who resisted arrest but was safely taken into custody. Demmon was taken to the Deschutes County Jail and lodged on the following charges:

• Attempted Assault on a Peace Officer

• Trespass in the 1st Degree

• Theft in the 3rd Degree

• Reckless Endangering

• Disorderly Conduct in the 2nd Degree

• Resisting Arrest

• Criminal Mischief in the 3rd Degree

Carr said it was later determined that Demmon was driving a vehicle without insurance, and the SUV was impounded.

"This marks the latest in a series of incidents involving Demmon," Carr said, adding that DCSO has responded to 11 calls for service involving him over the past two weeks.

On Monday, Sept. 27, deputies responded to Grace Bible Church in Bend, where staff asked that Demmon be trespassed from the property. Demmon left, but returned about a half-hour later and was arrested for trespassing.

In another incident, on Monday, Demmon allegedly drove to the home of a local deputy while the deputy was on duty and verbally harassed and threatened a member of the deputy’s family.

"Demmon made statements referencing weapons," Carr said.

Deputies from the Crook County Sheriff’s Office later contacted Demmon and issued a trespass order from the residence. During that contact, Demmon also said "he knew the address of another local law enforcement officer, Carr said. Partner agencies were notified," Carr said.

"The Sheriff’s Office takes any behavior that targets law enforcement families or personnel seriously and continues to coordinate with partner agencies to ensure the safety of the community and local law enforcement officers," Carr's news release concluded.

Oregon court records show few past incidents and only one dismissed criminal charge involving Demmon, mostly infractions or violations such as speeding, driving with a suspended or revoked license, driving uninsured and offensive littering.

A 2018 misdemeanor charge of second-degree criminal trespass at Bend's Westside Safeway was dismissed in 2019, as requested by prosecutors "in the interests of justice." They noted that Demmon had mental health problems that apparently played a role in the alleged offense.