KAJO 99.7FM - News Story

GP Police Arrested Walmart Shoplifting Suspect for Theft, Criminal Mischief

An attempt to steal over $300 from Walmart was thwarted by Grants Pass Police Monday.

The suspect was reported in the jewelry department of the 135 NE Terry Lane store around 8:17 a.m. She had two bags full of items, was wearing other merchandise, and had been ripping off the item's tags.

She was described to dispatch as having a blue and black backpack, a black shoulder bag, and a small black bag, filling all of them with merchandise. The jacket and shoes she was wearing were also property of Walmart.

Officers entered the jewelry department and contacted the suspect, Leo Wilson. She was taken into custody, and admitted to police that she planned on stealing the merchandise if law enforcement hadn't intervened.

Wilson's parole officer was contacted, leading to a detainer being issued. Officers transported Wilson to the Josephine County Adult Jail Facility for lodging on charges including Second Degree Theft, Criminal Mischief in the Third Degree, and the detainer. She was also warned for trespassing at the Walmart.

Posted on 9/8/26 10:23AM by Alex Bauer

OSP Lodged Two Following Separate Traffic Stops

Oregon State Police troopers lodged one suspect following a traffic stop Friday, and another on an out-of-county hold warrant Monday.

A white Ford Mustang was pulled over during the first incident at 8:39 p.m. Troopers observed the Mustang passing other vehicles recklessly at a high rate of speed, among other violations while attempting to catch up to it.

During the stop, troopers arrested the driver, Kaden Hammeke, 18, of Grants Pass, for Reckless Driving. His vehicle was towed from the scene, and police lodged Hammeke in the Josephine County Jail. He was released on his own recognizance the next day at 12:57 p.m.

Yesterday at 1:38 p.m., a gray Honda Civic was stopped for observed traffic violations. Troopers found the driver, Pedro Jacinto-Santos, had an arrest warrant, so he was transported to and lodged in the Josephine County Jail.

The other occupants in the vehicle were unlicensed and arranged for a driver to retrieve the vehicle. Jacinto-Santos posted bail following his lodging.

Posted on 9/8/26 10:06AM by Alex Bauer

BLM Announces See Our Salmon and Friends Event at Provolt Recreation Area

The Bureau of Land Management and the Applegate Partnership and Watershed Council is inviting the community to join the See Our Salmon and Friends event.

It will be held at the Provolt Recreation Area, 14,171 Williams Highway, this Saturday the 12th from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. This family-friendly celebration offers a chance to connect with nature and discover the vital role salmon and other riparian species play in local ecosystems.

Attendees can enjoy expert-led talks, guided tours of ongoing restoration projects, salmon spotting, interactive activities, and educational booths hosted by local organizations.

Posted on 9/8/26 8:41AM by Alex Bauer

Emergency Crews Extract Injured Motorcyclist, Crash Investigated by Sheriff's Office

The Grave Creek Bridge near the Rainie Falls Traihead, was the landing zone for REACH Air Medical Services to transport an injured motorcyclist

The vehicle crash occurred on Lower Graves Creek Road, just east of the bridge towards Sunny Valley. Rescue crews from Rural Metro Fire and American Medical Response, assisted by the Oregon Department of Forestry, Grants Pass Fire, and Josephine County Sheriff's Office, responded to the scene.

Crews extracted the rider from 30’ over the embankment with serious injuries, prompting the need for transport to a trauma hospital in Medford.
Another rider in the group who laid down their bike at the time of the crash was not injured. Details of the incident are being investigated by the Sheriff’s Office.

Posted on 9/8/26 6:45AM by Alex Bauer

Suspects Wanted on Two Warrants Each Recognized, Arrested by GP Police

Two suspects wanted in separate warrant cases were apprehended by Grants Pass Police Sunday.

Officers contacted a group of individuals behind Bi-Mart at 230 Redwood Highway around 12 p.m. One suspect, Shayna Mueller, was known by law enforcement to have warrants out of the Police Department and the Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office in California.

Mueller's warrants charged her with Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Possession of a Hard Drug, and Providing False Information. She was positively identified, her warrants were cleared, and she was transported to the Josephine County Jail for lodging.

Officers later observed Jason Grimm at a property in the 900 block of SW L Street. He was compliant upon contact at 5:26 p.m., and was known by police to be wanted on two warrants.

Grimm's Myrtle Creek Police Department warrants charged him with Methamphetamine Possession and a Traffic Offense. He was taken into custody at the scene, and lodged on his warrants at the Josephine County Adult Jail Facility.

Posted on 9/7/26 10:03AM by Alex Bauer

Theft Suspect Detained by Walmart Loss Prevention, Lodged by GP Police

Walmart loss prevention reported a theft suspect to Grants Pass Police, leading to the suspect's arrest.

Jeannette Ahlf was detained for shoplifting at the 135 NE Terry Lane store by staff. She had reportedly concealed grocery items valued at just over $209 in a shopping cart, and exited the premises without paying for the items.

Loss prevention wished to pursue for theft, and upon arrival of law enforcement, Ahlf was cooperative as she was taken into custody. Officers lodged her for Theft in the Second Degree, but she was later released due to a lack of resources at the Adult Jail Facility.

Posted on 9/7/26 9:20AM by Alex Bauer

WinCo Shoplifter Nabbed for Meth, Fentanyl Possession, Lodged by GP Police

Grants Pass Police officers lodged a WinCo shoplifting suspect on theft and drug charges Sunday.

The male suspect, later identified as Mark Fuller, was reported by loss prevention at the 231 NE Terry Lane store. Fuller had been trespassed by staff before, had returned to the store, and was seen with a second suspect that appeared to be shoplifting.

It was requested both suspects be trespassed, and officers arrived at the scene. Loss prevention did not wish to pursue for theft against the second suspect, and officers trespassed him from the grocer.

According to the police report, Fuller had passed all points of sale with over $145 worth of merchandise. A consent search was conducted, and officers located tin foil and a metal container with residue on Fuller's person. The tin tested positive for presumptive fentanyl, and the metal container tested positive for methamphetamine.

Officers arrested Fuller, transported him to jail, and lodged him for Second Degree Theft, and Possession of both Meth and Fentanyl.

Posted on 9/7/26 9:12AM by Alex Bauer

MFD, JCFD 3 Crews Tackle Early Morning Garage Fire

Medford Fire crews responded to a garage fire at a single-family home around 2:35 a.m. today.

With assistance from Jackson County Fire District 3, crews arrived to find an active fire in the garage, and quickly began an exterior attack. The fire had only minimally extended into the living space, with some smoke staining in the kitchen and front living area.

Damage to the interior of the home was minimal. Both residents were transported for evaluation, with one experiencing minor smoke inhalation. Two dogs inside the home also made it out safely. No other injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. MFD personnel remind the public that working smoke alarms can provide critical early warning during a fire. Test your alarms regularly and replace batteries or alarms as needed.

Posted on 9/7/26 8:14AM by Alex Bauer

Man Yelling at Others Contacted by GP Police, Lodged for Safeway Trespass

A welfare check was requested for a man that had returned to the downtown Safeway after having been previously trespassed.

Staff at the 115 SE 7th Street location called 911 to request a welfare check on the suspect currently in the store around 9:13 p.m. He then left the grocer reportedly waving his arms around and ranting to himself.

Dispatch learned that the suspect, Kyle Waycott, had been trespassed from the Safeway before, and was walking in the middle of 8th Street and had thrown trash in the road off G Street. It was requested he be trespassed from the grocer.

Officers contacted Waycott yelling at people. He advised police he had returned to the Safeway, and was promptly taken into custody. He was taken to the Adult Jail Facility where he was lodged for Second Degree Trespass. Officers also issued Waycott a 30 day exclusion from the Safeway.

Posted on 9/7/26 6:54AM by Alex Bauer

BCC Workshop to Cover Legal Business, Potential By-Law Acceptance

The Board of County Commissioners will consider business regarding Juvenile Justice, a By-Laws acceptance order, and other department requests during Tuesday's workshop.

Set to begin at 1:30 p.m. in the BCC Conference Room, the board's workshop will begin with Legal Counsel business regarding a Special Service District for Juvenile Justice, and Agenda Modifications.

Finance will follow with a board order for accepting By-Laws, with Human Resources presenting Position Requisitions to the board. Also up for consideration are appointment recommendations for both the Addictions Mental Health Public Health Advisory Committee, and the Josephine County Mining Advisory Committee.

Other Board Business will cover arguments supporting a levy, and Anne G. Basker Auditorium rental requests. Pending other matters, the workshop will adjourn. The public is welcome to attend the workshop in person or online at www.josephinecounty.gov/livestream.

Posted on 9/7/26 6:52AM by Alex Bauer

Suspect Trespassed from Downtown Contacted, Lodged by GP Police

Grants Pass Police arrested a man trespassed from the downtown area Sunday morning.

During a proactive check of the 5th Street overlook, Isaac Whaley was contacted and found to be excluded from the downtown area until Friday, September 11th. He confirmed to law enforcement that he was aware of his exclusion, and that he wasn't in the area for a valid reason.

Officers took Whaley into custody and gave him a 90 day trespass order. He was transported to the Josephine County Jail and lodged for Second Degree Trespassing. He was later released on his own recognizance.

Posted on 9/7/26 5:30AM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Lodge Man Dancing in Underwear for Resisting Arrest after Welfare Check

A man reported to be dancing in his underwear outside the Downtown Welcome Center Sunday was apprehended by Grants Pass Police following a welfare check.

Dispatch was notified that the suspect was walking around and pointing towards the sky at 198 SW 6th Street before heading towards the downtown Papa Johns at 4:29 a.m. A welfare check was requested, and officers contacted the suspect outside the U.S. Bank.

He was taken into custody, but while in the patrol vehicle, the suspect began kicking and standing up, trying to get out of the seat. He unbuckled himself and attempted to exit the vehicle. Officers subsequently took him to the ground and applied a wrap.

The suspect, identified in the police report as John Doe, was successfully transported to jail and lodged for Resisting Arrest.

Posted on 9/7/26 5:21AM by Alex Bauer

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