10/25/25 - Deputies, K9 Arrest Blachly Man After Assault, House Fire (Photo) - 10/26/25
On October 25th at about 3 p.m., Lane County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the 20200 block of Highway 36, Blachly, for a report of an assault. Deputies contacted victims and witnesses and learned that Darin Dwayne Watson, 60, of Blachly, had assaulted two people with batons and then menaced them with an axe.
Deputies attempted to contact Watson, however he responded by throwing items at them from his residence. Deputies deployed an armored rescue vehicle and drone to maintain contact with Watson from a safe distance. After several hours of negotiation, Watson lit his house of fire, which quickly became engulfed. Watson ran out of the home and attempted to escape.
A deputy deployed K9 Tito, who apprehended Watson in a carport attached to the burning residence. He continued to fight with deputies and the K9, even as the nearby intense flames and heat quickly grew.
Watson was arrested and transported to an area hospital for medical care, then lodged at the Lane County Jail on the following charges:
- Unlawful Use of a Weapon
- Two counts of Assault in the 4th Degree
- Two counts of Menacing
- Resisting Arrest
- Interfering with a Law Enforcement Animal
Additional charges related to the fire may be considered.
Thanks to the Lane Fire Authority and Lake Creek Fire for their assistance with this incident.
