Local News

Following six calls for services, Grants Pass Police arrested a disorderly woman in the Walmart parking lot.

Officers were alerted to the suspect wearing a blue sweater and baggy blue jeans who had been in the 135 NE Terry Lane parking lot for an hour. It was reported she had been looking into cars and wandering in the middle of the parking lanes.

The suspect had also been blocking sidewalks and roadways in the area, and officers were told she was last seen by the Grocery Outlet. She was contacted in between the two stores, and identified as Jessica Knowlton.

Officers arrested Knowlton and charged her with Second Degree Disorderly Conduct. She was subsequently taken to the Josephine County Jail where she was lodged.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested suspects at both 6th Street Resting Sites Wednesday during patrol checks.

That morning at 8:15, officers took Ronald Frederico into custody at the 704 NW 6th Street site. He was wanted on a parole violation detainer issued by his parole officer, so he was promptly transported to the Josephine County Jail. However, due to a lack of jail resources, he was released.

According to the police report, after Frederico was arrested, a man was reportedly going up the stairs in the courtyard. He seemed to be hiding, and refused to identify himself to officers before leaving the scene.

That afternoon around 1:57, two suspects were detained after being contacted in a tent in the 714 NW 6th Street site. The two were actively using methamphetamine before being contacted, and officers identified drug items in plain view within both suspect's reach.

The two were detained, and confirmed to be in possession of drug items containing meth residue. Both were issued citations for Meth Possession, and given 30 day trespasses from the site. One of the suspects, Brandon Ginger, was then found to have a warrant out of the Josephine County Sheriff's Office for his arrest.

While the other suspect was released, Ginger was taken into custody. Officers transported him to the Adult Jail Facility where he was lodged on his Second Degree Theft Warrant.

 

In two separate instances Wednesday morning, officers with Grants Pass Police arrested suspects wanted on two warrants each.

At 10:37 a.m., one suspect, Michael Carrero, was identified at the corner of SW 6th Street and SE M Street. He was taken into custody for two warrants out of the police department both charging him with Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine.

Officers transported Carrero to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged.

Then at 11:08 a.m. William Asbery was recognized at Resting Site 7. Officer knew he had two police department warrants out for his arrest, so he was taken into custody without incident.

Asbery had a drug charge and Unlawful Possession of Meth charge against him. After his identity was confirmed, he was transported and lodged in the County Jail.

 

An intoxicated man yelling outside a Lil' Pantry was arrested by the Josephine County Sheriff's Office late Wednesday.

The man was refusing to leave the 5030 Monument Drive location at 11:25 p.m. He was yelling and cussing at the night clerk reporting him to 911, despite her asking him repeatedly to leave the premises.

She told dispatch she wasn't sure if he was under the influence of drugs, but that he had likely been drinking. He had been at the service station market for a couple of hours at the time of the report.

Deputies arrived and detained the suspect, Nicholas Knowles, and took him into custody. He was transported and lodged in the Adult Jail Facility for Second Degree Disorderly Conduct, Criminal Trespass in the Second Degree, and Third Degree Theft.

 

The 911 dispatch center received emergency calls reporting a shooting in the 800 block of NE E Street Wednesday at approximately 6:05 p.m. Grants Pass Police, Josephine County Sheriff’s deputies, and Oregon State Police located two adult males who had been shot. Law enforcement, along with Grants Pass Fire and Rescue and AMR, provided immediate medical care to both victims, who were then transported to Three Rivers Medical Center. One victim, an 18-year-old male, succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the hospital. The second victim, a 24-year-old male, suffered significant but non-life-threatening injuries. Witnesses were interviewed at the scene, and it was confirmed the suspect fled in a vehicle immediately after the shooting. The Grants Pass Police Major Crimes Unit took on the investigation, with assistance from OSP detectives and the District Attorney’s Office.

 

Families across the Rogue Valley are invited to meet the real-life heroes during Hero Day at the Children’s Museum of Southern Oregon.

On Saturday, March 28th from Noon to 5 p.m., this interactive community event gives children and families the opportunity to meet first responders, explore emergency vehicles and equipment, and learn about the important roles that local heroes play in keeping Southern Oregon safe.

Children will have the chance to meet and interact with representatives from a variety of community service organizations, including the Medford and Ashland Police Departments, Medford Fire Department, Mercy Flights, Rogue Disposal, the City of Medford, the United States Coast Guard, and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, including sniffer dog Deputy Brooks.

Hero Day is included with museum admission or membership. Activities will take place at the Children’s Museum and Alba Park. This event reinforces the museum’s mission of learning through play while strengthening connections between families and community organizations.

 

The Ashland Police Department, Ashland Fire & Rescue, and the Talent Police Department responded to the 300 block of Morton Street to investigate a loud explosion at 4:43 this morning. Officers found that an explosive device had been detonated inside of a parked and unoccupied vehicle, and what was thought to be a potential secondary explosive device was found inside as well. The area was secured with neighbors being advised to shelter in place. Bomb disposal techs from the Oregon State Police Department arrived on scene to assist, and verified that there was no further threat of explosion in the area. Evidence indicated that the crime was committed by a known male suspect. He had also been the focus of investigations by the Medford Police Department, and was wanted on charges stemming from said investigation. Detectives were quick to locate the suspect at a residence in the 100 block of Fork Street in Ashland and took him into custody. The investigation is ongoing, and the suspect, Michael Scott Beugli, 32, of Ashland, was arrested. Law enforcement charged him with First and Second Degree Arson, Unlawful Possession and Manufacture of a Destructive Device, Criminal Mischief in the First Degree, Reckless Endangering, and Reckless Burning.

 

A man known by Grants Pass Police to be wanted on a warrant was arrested Tuesday afternoon.

Law enforcement recognized Aleksandr Uchytil at the corner of SE 7th Street and SE M Street at 12:40 p.m. He had a valid and serviceable warrant out for his arrest charging him with First Degree Theft.

Officers took him into custody near 708 SE 8th Street, where they confirmed his identity. After being read his rights, Uchytil consented to a search of his person. A glass pipe was located, which he stated was for smoking Methamphetamine.

The pipe field tested positive for the presence of meth, and Uchytil was transported to the Josephine County Jail. Officers lodged him on his Police Department warrant, and a charge of Meth Possession.

 

Grants Pass Police arrested a woman wanted on two warrants following an interview regarding a stolen vehicle Tuesday.

The suspect, Kandi Lewis, was in possession of a stolen motor vehicle related to a separate case, but it was confirmed she had no knowledge of the theft.

She was contacted by law enforcement, and agreed to meet in person for an interview. Ultimately, she was taken into custody, but for two warrants out for her arrest.

Lewis was wanted on a Josephine County Sheriff's Office warrant for First Degree Trespass, and a Douglas County Sheriff's Office warrant for Contempt of Court. She was detained at the Sizzler after her identity was confirmed.

Josephine County had probable cause for her arrest for a charge of Second Degree Trespass, so she was given the additional charge. Lewis was then transported and lodged in the Adult Jail Facility.