Local News

The theft of a wallet Thursday afternoon dispatched Grants Pass Police to the South Safeway where the suspect was arrested.

A call to 911 around 2:14 p.m. at the 1640 Williams Highway grocer reported a woman had stolen the caller's wife's wallet out of their shopping cart. When confronted by the caller, the suspect fled towards a recreational vehicle in the parking lot.

The wallet was thrown back at the owner following another confrontation, but items were missing inside. When officers arrived, it was determined a man associated with the suspect could have the items, but he was unable to be located. Jennifer Condon was identified as the suspect, and had deprived the wallet owner of items valued at $74.

Officers lodged Condon in jail for Third Degree Theft, and trespassed her from the store.

 

Grants Pass Police trespassed four individuals from Home Depot Thursday, and arrested one of them for theft.

Following a confrontation at the 111 NE Mill Street store between staff and one of the suspects, the latter fled southbound on Mill Street towards the railroad tracks. Dispatch then learned around 11:07 a.m., that two more suspects attempted to walk out with stolen merchandise.

They were stopped by loss prevention, and responding officers conducted a check of Mill Street for the initial suspect. All were detained, including one other located in the store. Christian Bradley was identified after he attempted to hide under blankets in a parked vehicle. He was ordered out by police, and read his rights.

Bradley and the other three were trespassed from the Home Depot, and officers arrested Bradley for stealing about $100 worth of items. He was lodged for Second Degree Theft, and a warrant out of the Jackson County Sheriff's Office for First Degree Burglary.

 

Home Depot loss prevention detained a shoplifter who was later arrested by Grants Pass Police.

Thursday at 7:55 p.m., staff reported to dispatch that the cooperative shoplifter was detained in the loss prevention office. Upon arrival, officers identified the suspect as Alexander White, and learned he had concealed merchandise in his clothing while inside the store.

He proceeded to pass all points of sale without paying before being stopped by staff in the parking lot. $171 worth of merchandise was recovered, and White admitted to police that he had no intention to pay for the concealed items.

He was taken into custody and transported to the Josephine County Adult Jail Facility for lodging on a Second Degree Theft Charge.

 

Josephine County Sheriff's deputies lodged a man for theft after he attempted to return stolen medicine for cash.

It was reported that a customer came into an unspecified location on Merlin Road Thursday and loaded up his pockets with Dayquil and Mucinex. He went to the register to return one of the boxes of Mucinex for cash. Following the transaction, security footage was reviewed, confirming the theft.

The suspect's vehicle was described as a red 4-door Hyundai, which deputies located around 1:44 p.m. Seth Smith was identified and detained. He was ultimately lodged in jail for First and Third Degree Theft charges.

 

Emergency crews took action when a two-vehicle, head-on collision was reported on Redwood Highway in Kerby Thursday at 8:50 p.m.

The Illinois Valley Fire District and American Medical Response arrived at the scene near School Street and Holton Creek Road where two vehicles collided. Redwood Highway was temporarily closed in both directions while emergency crews worked to secure the scene, assess those involved, and ensure the safety of responders and motorists.

All individuals involved were evaluated by medical personnel, and no patients required transport to the hospital. The Oregon Department of Transportation assisted with roadway management during the incident. The Oregon State Police responded and conducted the investigation into the cause of the collision.

 

The Illinois Valley Fire District responded to the scene of two separate traffic accidents Thursday afternoon that occurred within minutes of each other.

The first took place around 1:35 p.m. on Redwood Highway at Ken Rose Lane in Cave Junction. Fire personnel responded to the two-vehicle accident. Both vehicles had been moved to the side of the roadway prior to arrival, with no lanes being blocked. No injuries were reported.

The second incident occurred on the Redwood Highway at Waldo Road in O'Brien around 1:46 p.m. While personnel were responding to the first incident, the second was reported involving a motorcyclist and a passenger vehicle.

IVFD and American Medical Response arrived at the scene. No injuries were reported. Oregon State Police is conducted the investigations for both incidents.

 

A missing hunter was found safe Wednesday after spending more than 72 hours lost in the remote wilderness near Prospect. According to the Jackson County Sheriff's Office (JCSO), despite three days outdoors in cold temperatures, the 60-year-old man was in good condition. The hunter, who went missing Sunday, November 8, walked out of the wilderness and was located by fellow hunters Wednesday at 10:26 a.m. on the 900 Road near County Line Road outside Prospect. He was taken to a nearby JCSO Search and Rescue (SAR) checkpoint, where he reunited with family and friends. Before the hunter was located, an extensive search effort was underway involving law enforcement, search and rescue teams, and community volunteers. Search methods included using ground personnel, K-9 teams, multiple airplanes, and a helicopter. During the search, JCSO deputies and SAR personnel expanded the search area and requested assistance from the California Oregon Regional Search and Rescue task force. More than 50 SAR personnel and approximately 80 community volunteers participated in the search. The public is reminded, when heading into the wilderness, to prepare for the unexpected. If you become lost, remember these important safety tips: Stay put, call for help, stay warm and dry, make yourself visible, and plan ahead.

 

A woman wanted on three out-of-county warrants was lodged in jail after providing police with a false name.

Wednesday around 8:50 p.m., officers with Grants Pass Police contacted two individuals at the corner of SE J Street and SE 8th Street. One of them identified herself as Jessica Whitmire, but her true identity was confirmed to be Christine Whitmire.

She was found to be wanted out of the Medford Police Department and Jackson County Sheriff's Office for charges including Fentanyl Possession, Second and Third Degree Theft, Second Degree Trespass, and Identity Theft.

Officers arrested Whitmire, transported her to the Josephine County Jail, and lodged her on her three warrants plus a charge of Furnishing False Information to Police. She was also trespassed from the South Safeway.

 

A man trespassing downtown was contacted and arrested by Grants Pass Police Wednesday morning.

Officers, after issuing a warning for improper positioning on a highway in a separate case, identified Ronald Spears at the corner of 5th and H Streets at 9:39 a.m. He was found to be in violation of a 180-Day Exclusion order from the downtown area.

Police took Spears into custody for Second Degree Trespass, and lodged him in the Josephine County Jail. His property was placed into safekeeping, and a new downtown exclusion order for 180 days was entered for him.