GP Police Snared Man for Starting Small Fires and Leaving Them Unattended
Grants Pass Police arrested a man for starting two small fires and leaving them unattended near north-city businesses early yesterday.
According to the Police Department, officers responded to the first incident at the Motel 6 on NE 7th Street on Monday around 12:30 a.m..
Police said a motel employee reported a male subject later identified as 56-year-old Shannon Dixon Beckett was trying to set things on fire in the parking lot. They wanted him trespassed from the premises.
Officers arrived on scene and discovered that Beckett had also set a small fire near Taco Bell and he turned on a water faucet at another nearby business. They said he created public panic and alarm that required multiple police and fire units to rush to the scene. Firefighters quickly extinguished the small fires.
Beckett was located and placed into custody. He was lodged at the Josephine County Jail for Disorderly Conduct and Reckless Endangering. He was being held without bail.
Jail records show Beckett had prior arrests for Arson and Reckless Burning plus he was a City Expulsion Violator in Medford.
Posted on 8/12/25 6:16AM by Sam Marsh
