Man Arrested After Driving Erratically while Waving a Gun and Threatening Occupants

Late Tuesday morning, November 7th, just after 10:40am, a report was received by Coos County Dispatch regarding a male driving erratically while waving a gun and threatening the occupants of the vehicle while driving south on Highway 101 near Saunders Lake.

The male, identified as 23 year old Matthew Hulen, had since stopped the vehicle and exited with a skateboard heading South on Highway 101.  

While Coos County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the area, responding deputies were informed by dispatch that Mr. Hulen had an active Felony Warrant for his arrest for Eluding in a vehicle.

Due to this taking place on a State Highway, Oregon State Police also responded to the area as Coos County Sheriff’s deputies located Mr. Hulen at the Saunders Lake entrance and attempted to contact him.

When contacted, Mr. Hulen threw the pistol into nearby bushes and ran from deputies, crossing Highway 101 and down a hill toward a driveway. Responding Oregon State Police Troopers arrived during the foot chase and assisted  Coos County Sheriff’s deputies with taking Mr. Hulen into custody.  

Authorities were able to locate the handgun that Mr. Hulen had thrown into the bushes and Mr. Hulen was taken to the Coos County Jail where he was booked and held on the Felony Warrant, as well as 3 Counts of Reckless Endangering, Reckless Driving, and Menacing.