Local News

Grants Pass Police jailed a felon on an outstanding warrant and some new crimes after he tried to elude them through the city while riding a bicycle early yesterday.

The Police Department reports officers eventually arrested 28-year-old Brandon James Bledsoe on West Park Street near Riverside Veterinary Clinic on Friday at 3:43 a.m..

Police said they initiated a traffic stop on Bledsoe while he was riding a bike without proper lighting equipment in the 500-block of SE Mill Street. He refused to yield to lights and siren, leading officers on chase on M Street to 6th Street and across Caveman Bridge toward Williams Highway. He turned around at the South Y and headed toward Riverside Park where he crashed his bike near the vet clinic.

While being placed into custody, Bledsoe was found to be in possession of brass knuckles and a spring-loaded pocket knife. He was also found to be wanted on a Grants Pass felony warrant for failing to appear in court for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, 2nd-Degree Forgery and Escape.

Bledsoe was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the warrant plus new charges including two counts of Felon in Possession of a Restricted Weapon and Escape. His bicycle was logged into evidence for safekeeping.