Newport Police Department news release on Aug. 27 traffic stop, machine gun

Incident: Traffic Stop

Location: SE Coos & SE 1st Street, Newport

Date/Time: August 27th, 2025 @ 2332 hours

Details: On Aug. 27, 2025 at around 11:32 p.m. a Newport police officer observed a traffic violation and conducted a traffic stop on a 1996 Chevrolet Camaro. The driver of the vehicle was identified as Michael Andrew Knight, 35, of Dallas, Oregon. During the stop, it was discovered that Knight had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. Two additional Newport officers arrived on scene to assist.

As officers attempted to take Knight into custody, he attempted to flee in the vehicle. Officers were able to prevent his initial attempt to drive away. When officers attempted to remove Knight from the vehicle, he lunged toward the passenger seat and began reaching under the dash. One officer entered the vehicle to subdue Knight, while additional officers attempted to access the locked passenger-side door of the vehicle.

Knight continued to resist the officer’s attempts to take him into custody. Knight was able to restart his vehicle and began accelerating forward, driving away with one officer still attempting to stop Knight and take him into custody. The officer was able to disable the vehicle, and the vehicle came to a stop after a short distance. Knight continued to resist the officer’s attempts to take him into custody and actively attempted to gain control of his vehicle. Officers on scene disabled the tires on Knight’s vehicle, rendering the vehicle inoperable.

Knight continued to resist all attempts to place him under arrest and an officer deployed a Taser. With the assistance of Lincoln County Sheriff’s deputies that arrived on scene, officers were able to detain Knight in handcuffs and remove him from the vehicle. While taking control of Knight’s arms, officers observed an empty handgun holster on the seat next to Knight.

Officers learned Knight was a convicted felon and applied for a warrant to search the vehicle, which was granted. A subsequent search of the vehicle led to the discovery of a 9mm handgun that was concealed under the driver’s seat of the vehicle. The handgun was a non-serialized handgun that had been modified with specific parts, allowing it to be operated as a machine gun. The handgun was loaded with a 30-round extended magazine.

Officers discovered four other loaded magazines for the pistol, two of which were extended capacity magazines. Also located during the search were five grams of cocaine, evidence of cocaine manufacturing, a box of 9mm ammunition, a ski mask, a wig, and a large crowbar.

Knight was booked and lodged at the Lincoln County Jail for the following:

• Fleeing or Attempting to Elude

• Attempted Escape III

• Resisting Arrest

• Recklessly Endangering Another Person

• Attempted Kidnapping II

• Felon in Possession of Firearm

• Unlawful Possession of Firearm (concealed)

• Unlawful Possession of Machine Gun

• Possession Controlled Substance – Cocaine

• Manufacturing Controlled Substance – Cocaine

• Probation Violation

• Arrest Warrant – Dallas Municipal Court

The incident remains under investigation. If you have any information regarding this case, contact Officer Eshleman of the Newport Police Department at 541-574-3348. The Newport Police Tip Line is available at 541-574-5455, or Text-a-Tip at 541-270-1856 or tipline@newportpolice.net.