Pepper Spray Attack in Empire, March 4

News release from the Coos Bay PD. While investigating an unrelated matter at the Woodland Apartments at 245 S. Schoneman Street, officers observed a woman crying and asked her if she was alright. The woman reported that her ex-boyfriend, North Bend resident Charles Loreman (31), had just entered her friend’s apartment, hit her in the head, and sprayed them with pepper spray. The woman explained that she was sleeping in a bed and was awakened when Loreman struck her on the forehead with a hard object. Loreman reportedly then searched through her pockets and took her jewelry and purse. The woman also reported that Loreman sprayed pepper spray at her as he left the bedroom. Two other occupants inside the apartment were also sprayed with pepper spray by Loreman. Prior to Loreman fleeing the apartment, one of the occupants reported that he was also struck on the arm/shoulder with a hard cylindrical object similar to a collapsible baton. A short time later, officers located Loreman walking on the 100 block of N. Wasson Street. He was subsequently arrested and transported to the Coos County Jail where he was held on charges of Burglary I, Robbery II, Assault III, Theft III, and Unlawful Use of Pepper Spray II.