Local News

Early Morning Burglary Investigation Leads to 2 Arrests in Rural Central Point

The Jackson County Sheriff's Office arrested two suspects after an early-morning burglary call in rural Central Point on Wednesday.

A Jackson County Community Service deputy took a report from 9-1-1 dispatch just after 8 a.m. yesterday of a burglary in the 5700-block of Upton Road. Several suspects were identified and tracked to an address in the 100-block of Laurelhurst Street in Central Point.

The Sheriff's Office obtained a search warrant for the property and identified a female suspect. During the initial search of the property, deputies located another suspect hiding under a shed. The man did not respond to commands to come out and barricaded himself in the crawl space. After a lengthy standoff, deputies persuaded the man to give up through the use of pepper spray and a K-9.

Detectives responded to assist in the arrests and search of the property. During the search, investigators discovered 10 firearms including a stolen pistol and an AR-style rifle with no serial number. Deputies also found body armor, an illegally-manufactured silencer, methamphetamine, heroin, butane honey oil, 35 pounds of processed cannabis, more than 58 grams of fentanyl and nearly $19,000 in cash.

The first suspect -- 44-year-old Kelli Margaret Hernandez of Medford -- was lodged at the Jackson County Jail for Conspiracy to Commit Burglary and Hindering Prosecution. The second suspect -- 28-year-old Mickey Ray Galatz of Central Point -- was jailed on 15 charges related to the incident in addition to five outstanding warrants.

Jackson County Public Information Officer Aaron Lewis said the case remains under investigation with detectives following additional leads.
Posted on 4/25/24 6:42AM by Sam Marsh