FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
DATE: January 30, 2026 

Joint Effort Between Salem Police and ATF Leads to Arrest and Firearms Seizure in Road Rage Case 

SALEM, Ore. — On January 29, 2026, Salem Police Violent Crimes Unit detectives, in collaboration with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives arrested Nathan Johnathan Muniz, 29, of Salem, and seized a firearm related to a road rage incident that escalated into robbery and assault. 

The arrest stems from an incident on January 16, 2026, when victims reported being menaced with a firearm during a road rage encounter near Sunnyside Road and Boone Road SE. According to the victims, Muniz repeatedly rammed their vehicle with his white Toyota Tundra before stopping, breaking the driver’s window with an AR style carbine rifle, and pointing the weapon at them while demanding money. The victims drove away and contacted police. 

Violent Crimes Unit detectives identified Muniz as the suspect after locating the vehicle he used. A search warrant was executed at Muniz’s residence on Sunnyside Road SE, where detectives and ATF agents recovered an AR style carbine rifle with a collapsible stock matching the victims’ description and damaged vehicle body parts consistent with Muniz’s Tundra.  

Muniz was medically cleared at Salem Hospital before being lodged at the Marion County Jail on charges of Robbery in the First Degree, Assault in the Second Degree, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and Criminal Mischief. He is scheduled to be arraigned at 2:30 p.m. today at the Marion County Court Annex at 4000 Aumsville Highway. 

The Salem Police Department remains committed to the Community Violence Reduction Initiative (CVRI) and is dedicated to reducing violent crime and holding individuals accountable for their actions. The investigation is ongoing, and further inquiries should be directed to the Marion County District Attorney’s Office 

###