Local News

A man was arrested by Grants Pass Police after he was caught trying to steal merchandise from Walmart.

Dispatch was notified by loss prevention at the 135 NE Terry Lane store that the theft suspect had been apprehended, and identified himself as Jeremiah Bentley. He had reportedly attempted to conceal $8.40 worth of merchandise in his pants before exiting the store.

He had passed all points of sale without attempting to pay, after which loss prevention stopped Bentley. He was cooperative and returned the merchandise. Upon arrival, officers took him into custody by 6:28 p.m.

Bentley was transported to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged for Third Degree Theft. He was given a 24 hour ban from the store, then released on his own recognizance.

 

Two suspects were apprehended for active warrants by Grants Pass Police Thursday afternoon.

Law enforcement observed Aria Echavarria walking west on East Park Street near S Park Drive at 4:31 p.m. She was known to have a valid warrant out for her arrest, so she was taken into custody.

Her Josephine County Sheriff's Office warrant charged her with Third Degree Robbery, and she was lodged in the Adult Jail Facility. A gray backpack in her possession was logged into evidence for safekeeping.

Then, around 5:07 p.m., Zachary Gatten was seen walking near the corner of SW Jordan Street and SW Hall Street. After running him through dispatch, officers found he was wanted on an active and serviceable warrant.

He was wanted out of the Oregon Parole Board for Larceny, so he was contacted at the Caveman Pool. Officers advised Gatten of his warrant and told him he was not free to leave. He was placed into custody, a consent search was conducted and he was subsequently lodged in jail.

 

The suspect from a June 4th animal neglect case has been indicted by the Jackson County Grand Jury.

According to the Jackson County District Attorney's Office Facebook page, Wendy Lea Diamond, 66, has been indicted on two counts of felony Animal Neglect in the First Degree, and five counts of felony Animal Neglect in the Second Degree.

The charges relate to an investigation and search warrant executed at a residence in the 1800 block of Roxy Ann Place in Medford by the Medford Police Department, with assistance from Jackson County Animal Services. At that time, officers successfully rescued 15 neglected cats and recovered multiple deceased cats from the residence.

Diamond's next court appearance will be an arraignment on the indictment, to be scheduled by the Jackson County Circuit Court. Due to the pending criminal proceedings, no further details will be released at this time.

 

The Eagle Point Police Department responded Thursday around 5:45 a.m. to a business alarm at the Old Highway 62 Purple Parrot where a burglary had taken place.

Two subjects were seen in the area. The officer attempted to stop them, but they fled on an electric scooter. Additional deputies from the Jackson County Sheriff's Office responded to assist and began searching. Officers quickly confirmed that the business had been burglarized.

An Eagle Point Police Department drone and a Jackson County Sheriff's Office K-9 team were deployed for the investigation. One of the subjects who had fled, Jennifer Grinnals, was located hiding near the Harnish Wayside Park. It was determined the other subject involved was possibly heading to a vehicle located near Hillside Elementary School at the Old Schoolyard Park.

Officers located the male, identified as Kenneth Banes from Klamath Falls, sitting in a vehicle. He was taken into custody without further incident. It was determined he was on probation out of Klamath Falls for Burglary, Delivery of a Controlled Substance, Theft, and Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle. A detainer was placed on him after his parole officer was contacted.

Officers lodged Banes at the Jackson County Jail for his charges and detainer. Grinnals was lodged for Conspiracy to Commit Burglary in the First Degree.

The business was closed for several hours while officers processed the scene. The amount of damage is believed to be well over $1,000. The case is still under investigation, and other agencies are being contacted to review evidence located during this case.

 

Fire crews continue to work deeper into the interior of the East Evans Creek Fire, providing additional security and containment lines on the 15,705 acre fire. According to the Oregon Department of Forestry, containment increased to 38% yesterday prompting evacuation level downgrades. Night shift Unmanned Aircraft Systems and handheld infrared cameras identified hot spots for day resources to address. Firefighters are still working near residences, and fire traffic is heavy along the roadways. Some resources are shifting to repair work and back haul of equipment and firehose from the fireline. Bull dozers and excavators are being used to flatten berms created during line construction and eliminate areas where water can pool. They will also be installing water bars on control lines to divert run-off during rainy periods, mitigating soil erosion and impacts to water quality. Aircraft remain available to support ground resources for aerial reconnaissance and water drops; tankers are available as needed. A local red flag warning is in effect from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. for increased risk of new fire starts. The following evacuations are active by level:
- Evacuation Level 1 Be Ready: Zones JAC-016, JAC-017, JAC-026, JAC-109, JAC-124, JAC-126, JAC-147, JAC-148, JAC-149, JAC-158, and JAC-203-B.

 

The City of Grants Pass has announced street closures taking place during Cruise the Rogue.

From now until Friday at 4 p.m., 5th Street between G and H Streets will be closed for a VIP event. G Street between 4th and 6th Streets will be closed Friday as well from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. for a car show.

Beginning Saturday from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., 6th and 7th Streets from A Street to M Street will be closed for the car cruise. A Street through M Street will be closed between 5th and 8th streets, forming a one-block perimeter closure around the cruise route.

Detours will be in place, and motorists are advised to avoid the area and find alternate routes. Emergency vehicles will not be allowed through.

 

The Southern Oregon Child Exploitation Team (SOCET) along with the Oregon Department of Justice’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and Ashland Police Department served a search warrant Wednesday morning in Ashland. The warrant was served after investigators received over 2000 images of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) directly from an unidentified suspect. Potential witnesses and involved parties were interviewed, and investigators are working to identify the suspect. Once identified, criminal charges will be referred to the Jackson County District Attorney's Office. SOCET served the search warrant at an apartment in the 400 block of Russell Street in Ashland. During the warrant, investigators seized digital devices which will be forensically examined for further evidence of child exploitation. No further details will be released at this time.

 

A man wanted on an out-of-county warrant was apprehended by Grants Pass Police Wednesday morning.

The deputy recognized the suspect, Christopher Lokken, at Parker's Place Village around 9:14 a.m. He was contacted and found to have a valid and serviceable warrant out of Douglas County.

His warrant was confirmed, charging him with two counts of Reckless Burning, and Throwing Away Lighted Material in a Prohibited Area. The deputy took Lokken into custody at the scene and transported him to the Josephine County Jail. He was lodged, but later released due to a lack of resources.

 

A Josephine County Sheriff's deputy contacted two and arrested one man near Shop Smart in Cave Junction for an outstanding warrant.

The two individuals were observed between the store and a property in the 300 block of S Redwood Highway around 9:28 a.m. One of them had drug paraphernalia in his hands.

The deputy informed the subjects that they were trespassing and the business didn't want them on the property. Both were trespassed for one year from the incident location. Jordan Haas was then identified as one of the individuals. He was found to be wanted on a felony warrant out of the Sheriff's Office charging him with First Degree Forgery.

He was safely taken into custody, and the deputy transported Jordan to the Adult Jail Facility for lodging.