Local News

Grants Pass Police arrested two women for attempting to steal merchandise from a local supermarket on the same day last weekend.

According to the Police Department, the first incident at WinCo Foods on NE Terry Lane occurred on Sunday at 3:10 p.m..

Police said 63-year-old Melanie Kay Barnes tried to deprive the store of more than $64 worth of merchandise. They said she paid for a cart full of items, but hid some unpaid-for items on the bottom of the cart. The suspect had been on the store's radar for some time as they had a stack of photographs from previous incidents when she stole their merchandise. She was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for 3rd-Degree Theft. The paid-for groceries were secured in the trunk of her vehicle.

The second incident happened at WinCo on Sunday at about 9:30 p.m. when 46-year-old Amelia Melinda Easley was detained by loss prevention officers.

Police said Easley entered the store and concealed more than $62 worth of items in her purse while proceeding past all points of sale without paying. She was placed into custody and lodged in jail for 3rd-Degree Theft. She was also trespassed from WinCo.