Local News

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office arrested a man for impaired driving and he may be facing additional charges following a domestic disturbance in Merlin late last night. The Sheriff's Office reports deputies responded to the disturbance between a man and woman in the 100-block of Merlin Road on Monday around 10:55 p.m.. Deputies said several people called 9-1-1 to report an angry male subject kicking a female who was on the ground. The man was also reported to be punching a silver Chrysler PT Cruiser. A female friend showed up to help the woman and the man became aggressive with both women before riding off on a motorcycle. Upon arrival, deputies contacted the man and determined that he was impaired. They detained him, obtained a search warrant and transported him to Three Rivers Medical Center for a legal blood draw. The suspect was subsequently lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and Reckless Driving. He was being held without bail and an investigation into the domestic disturbance was continuing. The 30-year-old suspect was flagged for being known to assault law enforcement and even threatening to go after their families.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a man on an outstanding local warrant and added some new charges to his criminal bill yesterday after an incident at a specialty store in the Redwood area. The Police Department reports officers responded to the incident at Gooseberries in the 1200-block of Redwood Avenue on Monday at about 2:15 p.m.. Police said a 30-year-old man placed a woman in fear of physical harm with his violent and tumultuous behavior. They said the man was sitting in a nearby field drinking a beer when he got up, threw down his backpack and charged the victim's vehicle in the parking lot at Gooseberries. Upon arrival, officers observed the suspect interfering with traffic, stating that he was uncooperative and tried to walk away. Once he was detained, it was learned that he was wanted on a Josephine County warrant for failing to appear in court for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants, Reckless Driving, Criminal Mischief and Furnishing False Information to Police. The suspect resisted arrest by attempting to use his strength to prevent being placed in handcuffs. He was taken to the ground where he was placed into custody and then lodged in jail on the warrant and for Resisting Arrest and Disorderly Conduct.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for multiple crimes after he caused a disturbance at and near a downtown supermarket late yesterday. According to the Police Department, officers responded to the violent disturbance at the north Safeway on SE 7th Street on Monday shortly after 4 p.m.. Police said the 41-year-old man was intoxicated, refused to leave the store when asked and tried to fight several customers. They said he then walked over to the OLCC store on SE 8th Street and continued to try to fight people. While being handcuffed, the man flexed and pulled away while making threats to fight and kill law enforcement. The suspect was booked into the Josephine County Jail for Resisting Arrest, Disorderly Conduct and Criminal Trespass. He was being held without bail.

 

The Oregon State Police arrested a man on a state warrant during a traffic stop that occurred in north Grants Pass late yesterday. According to OSP, troopers pulled over a Chevrolet Cobalt driven by the 47-year-old male subject near the corner of NE 7th Street and Hillcrest Drive on Monday at 4:49 p.m.. Troopers said they stopped the man for an obstructed window on his car. They soon discovered that he was wanted on a statewide felony warrant out of Jackson County for failing to appear in court for Driving Under the Influence of Controlled Substances. The suspect was lodged on the warrant at the Josephine County Jail where he awaits transfer to the Jackson County Jail in Medford. At his request, his car was left in the Motel 6 parking lot with his passenger.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for violating his probation by "dumpster diving" at an apartment complex near the downtown area early yesterday. The Police Department reports officers were alerted to the incident near the corner of NW 2nd and E streets on Monday at about 10 a.m.. Police said the 44-year-old male subject was reported to be going through the trash at an apartment complex and throwing it all over. Callers said it appeared the man was under the influence of narcotics at the time. Officers responded, searched for the man and located him at the corner of 2nd and D streets. They placed him into custody and booked him into jail for Offensive Littering and the resulting Probation Violation related to an arrest for burglary. He was being held on a no-bail detainer. Jail records show the suspect has been arrested 11 times for Parole Violation since April of last year and three times for Probation Violation since March of this year.

 

UPDATE: Kaiden Thayer has been located.

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office is seeking public assistance in locating a missing teenager who ran away from home last weekend. The Sheriff's Office reports 15-year-old Kaiden Eugene Thayer left his residence on Hubbard Lane in Grants Pass on Saturday and had not returned as of today. His family last had contact with him on April 17th. Thayer is believed to be in Grants Pass or surrounding areas. He is described as a white male, 5-feet-8-inches tall and 140 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Kayden Thayer is encouraged to call the Sheriff's Office at (541)-474-5123.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a "frequent flyer" twice in one night last weekend for multiple crimes. The Police Department reports the first incident involving the 20-year-old man occurred near the corner of NE Hillcrest Drive and 6th Street on Sunday around 6:50 p.m.. Police said the male subject was observed walking north in the center lane of 6th Street, obstructing the travel of at least five vehicles which had to swerve around him. He also openly stole merchandise from the Pinnacle 365 store at the 76 gas station. Officers arrested the young man and lodged him at the Josephine County Jail for Disorderly Conduct. The young man was released from jail at about 9 p.m. and a short time later he was observed walking into an open garage in the 1100-block of SW Spruce Street and riding away on a bicycle valued at $145. Officers once again arrested the suspect and lodged him in jail for Felony 1st-Degree Burglary, 2nd-Degree Theft and Resisting Arrest. This time, he was held without bail. According to the report, the second incident was captured on video surveillance and the stolen bicycle was not recovered.

 

Grants Pass Police jailed an out-of-compliance sex offender after an early morning patrol check at a city park yesterday. The Police Department reports officers arrested a 37-year-old man at Baker Park on Monday at 2:33 a.m.. Police said they contacted a group of people at the park including the man they knew to be out of compliance with his sex offender registration. He was placed into custody without incident. The suspect was charged with Failure to Report as a Convicted Sex Offender and he was lodged without bail at the Josephine County Jail.

 

The Oregon State Police was investigating an alleged case of menacing after a weekend incident at a gas station in south Grants Pass. According to OSP, troopers were dispatched to a report of menacing at the gas station at the corner of Williams Highway and New Hope Road on Saturday at 5:15 p.m.. Troopers said the victims stated that they had followed a suspected impaired driver into the station. The suspect vehicle parked when an unidentified suspect got out of the vehicle and pulled a black subcompact pistol on the two occupants -- a driver and a passenger. No one was injured and the suspect vehicle drove away. OSP said an investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information on this incident is encouraged to dial *OSP.