Local News

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office jailed a man for multiple crimes this week following the pursuit of two stolen vehicles in the Wilderville area.

On Tuesday around 10 p.m., deputies located two stolen vehicles that were being driven on Fish Hatchery Road. They attempted to stop the vehicles, but the drivers failed to yield and increased their speed in an attempt to flee from law enforcement.

Deputies pursued the stolen vehicles on Fish Hatchery and then onto Cheney Creek Road. One of the drivers failed to negotiate a corner and stopped while the other driver continued fleeing and was able to avoid capture.

Deputies then attempted to order 32-year-old Asa Martinson-Squire out of the spun-out vehicle. Instead of complying, he backed into the patrol car, the stolen vehicle's tow hitch became entangled with the patrol car's front bumper and the suspect continued to flee, dragging the patrol car behind it. In order to stop the suspect, a deputy discharged his firearm at a tire to effectively disable the vehicle.

According to the report, Martinson-Squire failed to obey commands of deputies and was eventually placed into custody after a brief struggle. One deputy received minor injuries during the struggle. He was treated at the hospital and released.

Martinson-Squire was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on felony charges of Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle and Unlawful Use of a Weapon plus misdemeanor charges of Resisting Arrest, Escape, Reckless Driving, Criminal Mischief and two counts of Reckless Endangering.

Because a firearm was discharged during the incident, detectives from the Oregon State Police responded and assisted the Sheriff's Office with the investigation. The case has been forwarded to the Josephine County District Attorney's Office.