Local News

Grants Pass Police arrested a man for assaulting his girlfriend at a north-city motel late last night.

The Police Department reports officers responded to a domestic disturbance at Motel 6 on NE 7th Street on Thursday around 11:45 p.m..

Police said a motel worker called 9-1-1 to report that a man later identified as 45-year-old Mandell Yazzie came in to the front desk and advised his girlfriend had attacked him. The worker told dispatchers the man and a woman were arguing in the motel parking lot and he would watch them until law enforcement arrived.

Upon arrival, officers determined the conflict between Yazzie and his girlfriend started when Yazzie became upset over a poor relationship with his estranged son and he became intoxicated. The man grabbed the woman by the wrist and she punched him to get her hand back. When she reached around him to grab some belongings to leave, he grabbed her again and bit her twice on the arm.

Yazzie was placed into custody and lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 4th-Degree Domestic Assault. He was being held without bail.