Local News

The Grants Pass Police Department and Oregon State Police teamed up early yesterday to apprehend a man wanted for numerous local crimes and outstanding warrants.

The Police Department reports officers and troopers arrested 27-year-old Nathan Garrett Franks outside the Lucky Duck tavern on NW 6th Street on Friday at about 1:30 a.m..

Police said state troopers spotted the suspect at the Lucky Duck. They said he was wanted on warrants and known to elude aggressively when contacted. As a plan for contact was being made, he exited the tavern and got into a Ford Ranger pickup.

Franks was pinned in by GPPD and OSP patrol vehicles. When he tried to flee out the passenger side of his truck, he was Tased by troopers before being successfully placed into custody. He was checked out by medics at the scene, but refused to be transported to the hospital.

Franks was subsequently lodged at the Josephine County Jail without bail on a total of 18 charges including 2019 and 2023 warrants for Parole Violation, three counts of Hit-and-Run Causing Property Damage and Driving While Suspended.

Other charges added to his criminal bill include an out-of-state fugitive warrant, six counts of Attempt to Elude Police, three counts of Reckless Endangering Highway Workers, Reckless Driving, 1st-Degree Criminal Mischief and Suspended Driving.