New video shows chaotic arrest after Salem motorhome standoff

SALEM, Ore. (KPTV) - New video shows a Salem man being arrested after police say he barricaded himself inside a motorhome for hours on Thursday.

“It was just a crazy situation to me. I was hoping he didn’t pull out a gun or something and start shooting, you know,” said Salem community member Jhoan Delgado.

According to police, a business owner in the 1200 block of Lancaster Drive Southeast asked a man inside a motorhome to leave the parking lot. The man refused and the business owner called a towing company. Officers were called to help at about 5:37 p.m.

Jhoan Delgado was in the area and recorded video of the incident as officers were trying to arrest the suspect.

“He was throwing some stuff out the side window when I first arrived. And then that’s when the police started to get on top of the RV,” Delgado said.

Officers identified the man as 29-year-old Josh Kalani Cuifici. Police said Cuifici had felony warrants for multiple charges, including burglary, criminal mischief, reckless burning, and criminal trespass.

During negotiations with Cuifici, officers could see Cuifici using a knife to stab cushions inside the motorhome.

Delgado says the man’s anger turned toward officers.

“He opens or breaks his back window, and that’s when he threw the mug at the police dog,” said Delgado.

Police said the suspect broke windows and threw objects at officers, including a ceramic mug that hit K-9 Andor in the head. Andor was not hurt.

Cuifici exited the motorhome through a back window, climbed onto its roof and then jumped onto a patrol car before running onto a car parked nearby, according to police.

Cuifici was eventually taken into custody with help from K-9 Rupert. He was booked into jail for two counts of attempted assault on a public safety officer, attempted assault on a law enforcement animal, and two counts of first-degree criminal mischief.

Police said Cuifici does not own the motorhome and the owner is listed as deceased.

The investigation is ongoing, and no other details have been released.