A man wanted on a Department of Corrections warrant was arrested after a hours-long standoff with deputies at a short-term rental property in the Port Angeles area.
Patrick Nelson, 52, of Kitsap County, was taken into custody Wednesday evening, March 11, in the Agnew area following a law enforcement response involving multiple agencies, according to the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office.
Nelson is a former Clallam County resident with a violent criminal history who had been released from prison in December 2025 and was wanted for violating the conditions of his community custody, the sheriff’s office said.
Investigation Began With Call From Property Owner
Deputies first became aware Nelson might be in the area after a call around 5 p.m. Sunday from the owner of a short-term rental property near Port Angeles. The owner reported finding firearms and drug paraphernalia left behind after renters had vacated the property, according to the sheriff’s office.
Deputies later determined two of the firearms had been reported stolen. During the investigation, authorities identified Nelson as someone who had recently stayed at the rental, deputies said.
Suspect Found Hiding In Attic
Around 6 p.m. Wednesday, deputies located Nelson at the same short-term rental property in the Agnew area with assistance from the Olympic Peninsula Narcotics Enforcement Team, authorities said. People staying at the residence told deputies Nelson was hiding in the attic.
During the response, deputies detained one of the renters, identified as 50-year-old Port Angeles resident Johnny Watts. Deputies found a loaded firearm in Watts’ pocket during a frisk and also discovered what they believed to be a controlled substance, the sheriff’s office said.
Watts was arrested on suspicion of unlawful possession of a firearm and possession of a controlled substance and booked into the Clallam County Jail.
Standoff Ends Without Injuries
The Peninsula Crisis Response Team was called to assist as deputies attempted to take Nelson into custody.
Law enforcement issued a public notification through Everbridge and evacuated nearby homes as a precaution before initiating a tactical response. After several hours of negotiations, Nelson surrendered and was taken into custody without incident.
No injuries were reported during the operation. The investigation remains ongoing and additional charges may be considered, the sheriff’s office said.
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