Salem man swung pitchfork at officers before being hit with Taser, police say

The Salem Police Department identified the suspect as 52-year-old Salem resident Albert Molina.

The incident happened in the afternoon near 24th ST and Trade ST SE. Salem police said they responded to the scene after reports of a man with a pitchfork damaging property.

Police encountered the man, later identified as Molina, who then allegedly swung the pitchfork at officers “several times.” He then started walking toward a family in Richmond School Park, police said.

“Officers positioned themselves between the suspect and the family, who then hurried to a safe space. Two rounds of non-lethal munition were deployed with little effect on the suspect. Officers then used a Taser, and the suspect surrendered,” the Salem Police Department said in a social media post.

Molina was booked into jail after being cleared in a medical evaluation, police said. He is now accused of multiple charges that include menacing and unlawful use of a weapon.