GRANTS PASS VEHICLE THEFT SUSPECT RAMS CARS AND STOPS I-5 TRAFFIC BEFORE BEING ARRESTED
Grants Pass, Ore. – This morning at 9:10 am, a Grants Pass Police Officer spotted a stolen Dodge Truck and followed it to the area of NE Hillcrest Lane near NE Terrace Drive. When the driver of the stolen vehicle pulled into a residential driveway, the officer coordinated with other responding units to drive in behind the stolen truck to make the arrest. When the officers did so, they saw the suspect enter the driver’s seat of a white Acura and begin ramming vehicles, including the patrol cars, as officers blocked him in. The suspect left the vehicle behind and attempted to flee on foot.
With the assistance of the Oregon State Police and the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office, Grants Pass Police quickly set up a perimeter around the neighborhood to capture the suspect. A detective in an unmarked vehicle spotted the suspect with a bicycle he had stolen. The suspect once again fled and began jumping fences toward Interstate 5. The suspect eventually ran out onto the highway, and as vehicles stopped, he began attempting to enter random vehicles occupied by citizens. Officers realized the dangerousness of the rapidly evolving situation and the threat being posed to motorists. Officers chased after the suspect onto the highway. The officers’ pursuit caused the suspect to continue his flight as he continued across all lanes of traffic and over the guard rail on the south of the highway. As the suspect ignored officers’ commands and attempted to jump a barbed wire fence, officers used less than lethal force by deploying a Bean Bag shell and Taser. The efforts stopped the suspect, and he was placed under arrest. No citizens were injured during this incident, and officers only sustained minor injuries. The suspect was transported to a local hospital for medical clearance.
The suspect was identified as Chauncey Justice McKinney, a 27-year-old male who resided in Cave Junction. McKinney was later lodged at the Josephine County Jail for two warrants involving weapons, elude, and parole violation, as well as fresh charges for vehicle theft, eluding officers, reckless driving, and bicycle theft x2.
The Grants Pass Police Department thanks the Oregon State Police and Josephine County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance and citizen witnesses who assisted in the capture by calling 9-1-1 when they saw the suspect. In addition, the Grants Pass Police Department thanks the citizens who were inconvenienced by the traffic stoppages for their patience. Anyone having additional information about this case can contact the Grants Pass Police Department at 541-450-6260 and reference case #23-16424.
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