Local News

Grants Pass Police jailed a well-known criminal offender for multiple crimes after he threatened officers with a hammer when they tried to arrest him for violating a court order.

The Police Department reports officers eventually arrested 30-year-old Kraig Dean Toothman for the incident at and near the NE 7th Street "resting" site on Thursday at 1:30 p.m..

Police said they contacted Toothman at the temporary campsite and told him he was under arrest for two counts of Contempt of Court. They said he fled on foot and they chased him down at the corner of NE A Street and Dean Drive near the high school. GPHS was placed in a "secure" status during the incident.

Toothman reportedly pulled out a hammer and threatened officers with it before he was Tased and placed into custody. He was found to be in possession of a glass pipe containing methamphetamine residue. The hammer was seized as evidence and the pipe was seized for destruction.

Toothman was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Felony Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Menacing, Resisting Arrest, Escape, Meth Possession and two counts of Contempt of Court. He was being held without bail pending his court arraignment.