Local News

Grants Pass Police jailed a man who became violent after getting upset with a teenage girl who was housesitting for his tenants while they were out of town.

GPPD officers arrested 55-year-old Lance Arthur Nickerson for the incident at a home in the 1900-block of Cloverlawn Drive on Friday at 7:06 p.m..

Police said Nickerson called 9-1-1 because people to whom he rents a house on his property had allowed a 16-year-old girl to house-sit and watch their cats. They said he was argumentative with the juvenile female, stating that it was illegal for her to be watching the home and he demanded a law enforcement response.

Prior to police arrival, an adult acquaintance of the girl arrived to pick her up and take her away from the incident. While the woman was walking the girl home, Nickerson reportedly ran up to her yelling, grabbed her by the shirt and pushed her. The victim wished to press charges against the suspect and he was detained.

When officers moved in to arrest Nickerson, he attempted to pull his arms away and physically resisted being placed in handcuffs. During the struggle, the suspect was taken to the ground and he broke an officer's glasses valued at about $500.

Nickerson was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Physical Harassment, Resisting Arrest and Criminal Mischief. He was being held without bail pending his court arraignment this afternoon.