The first members of the militia illegally occupying a federal building in Oregon have been arrested. The occupation has gone on for nearly two weeks, costing the state more than $133,000 per day.
Two members of the militia were finally arrested when they took federal vehicles stolen from the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge and drove them to a local Safeway.
first arrest made of #bundymilitia – two fed vehicles from compound were driven to Safeway. vehicles now impounded pic.twitter.com/RM94eKj2Uh
— 🐝John Sepulvado🐝 (@JohnLGC) January 15, 2016
.@OPBnews has confirmed the first arrests of #bundymilitia have been made at the Safeway in Burns 1/3 pic.twitter.com/bdo341Wgdl
— 🐝John Sepulvado🐝 (@JohnLGC) January 15, 2016
State police officers tell OPB the vehicles were driven from the compound to the Safeway – "at least one arrest." #bundymilitia
— 🐝John Sepulvado🐝 (@JohnLGC) January 15, 2016
BREAKING: OSP arrests Crescent resident Kenneth Medenbach, 62, on charges in theft of two govt. vehicles from Malheur refuge. Details coming
— KTVZ NewsChannel 21 (@KTVZ) January 15, 2016
The standoff appears to be escalating. In recent days the militia has announced its intention to create their own legal system and potentially arrest the sheriff. A radio personality closely associated with the militia has suggested converging on the nearby FBI compound monitoring the occupation.