Portland police said the man swung a heavy chain at officers and threatened a woman with a knife

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A man was arrested Sunday in Northwest Portland after swinging a chain at officers and threatening a woman with a knife, police said.

Officers were called to the 100 block of Northwest 19th Avenue on a report of a man trying to break into a church.

The man, who was carrying a heavy chain and padlock, ran from officers. At one point, he turned around and swung the chain at them, police said.

Authorities caught up with the man near a McDonalds at West Burnside Street and Northwest 18th Avenue.

The chain and knife used by a suspect to threaten officers and passerby in NW Portland, Aug. 25, 2019. (Portland Police Bureau)

Witnesses inside of a restaurant in the area reported the man seemed to be arguing with someone. They said he then grabbed a random woman and threatened her with a knife to use her as a shield against police.

Portland police said they convinced the man to drop the knife but he tried to run away again.

“All of a sudden, we heard a ‘pop’ and we saw a man run around the corner,” said witness Kelly Egan.

A good Samaritan saw what was happening and grabbed the man as he rounded a corner outside of the McDonalds.

“The guy just grabbed him and pushed him over the balcony and just got him down,” said witness Jane Ribadeneyra.

Egan said the good Samaritan, seen wearing a blue shirt in video captured by a witness, was immediately helped by police in his efforts to subdue the suspect.

The man was arrested after officers used a Taser on him.

“Police arrived and were able to get him under control and arrest him without anybody being harmed, so good job by the Portland police,” said Ribadeneyra.

Egan also praised the PPB’s response.

“I’m really not sure how the police got here so quickly but kudos to the Portland police department because they did a great job.”

Police later identified the suspect as 38-year-old Christopher M. Hall.

He was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center on charges of attempted aggravated murder, 1st-degree kidnap, unlawful use of a weapon, resisting arrest, menacing, theft and criminal trespass.