On September 16, 2021, at about 2046 hours, dispatchers for the Grants Pass Police Department received reports of a motorcycle striking a fence.  Responding police officers located a single rider in the roadway in the 1200 block of Fruitdale Drive.  Personnel from Grants Pass Fire/Rescue and AMR also responded to the crash scene.

From the investigation, it is believed the motorcycle had been traveling eastbound on Fruitdale Drive when it failed to negotiate the corner.  The deceased rider was identified as 66-year-old Robert Alan Lee.

Grants Pass Police Detectives and Traffic Team members assisted with the investigation.  Anyone with information about the crash is encouraged to call the Grants Pass Police Department at 541-450-6260.

Crysta McNair

On Wednesday September 15, 2021, following a lengthy investigation, Grants Pass Police Detectives arrested Crysta McNair, a 42 year old woman, for 2 counts of Aggravated Theft, 3 counts of First Degree Forgery, 2 counts of Computer Crimes, and 3 counts of Identity Theft. Detectives found that during an approximate 1 year period McNair forged at least 110 checks and conducted fraudulent bank transfers to steal over $142,000.00 from an elderly relative. Crysta McNair was lodged at the Josephine County Jail. Anyone having information related to this investigation is asked to call the Grants Pass Police Department at 541-450-6260 and reference detective case 21-26659.

Andrew Paul Soliz jr.

On Tuesday 09/14/21 at approximately 9:58 AM, Grants Pass Police Officers responded to the Safeway parking lot on SE 7^th Street regarding a woman being robbed of her vehicle and being dragged across the parking lot. Officers arrived within minutes to find the victim and her passenger had both received minor injuries when pulled from the vehicle by the suspect. The suspect had fled the scene in the victim’s vehicle, which is described as a 2008 Hyundai SantaFe. The stolen vehicle information was immediately sent to surrounding police agencies. The investigation revealed the suspect had been inside Safeway just before the robbery where his image was captured by surveillance cameras. 

At approximately 12:24 PM the Grants Pass Police Department was advised the California Highway Patrol was in pursuit of the vehicle southbound on I-5 in the Mt. Shasta area. At approximately 12:28 PM CHP advised the vehicle had crashed at high speeds on I-5 south of Dunsmuir. The suspect was taken into custody but was reportedly in serious/critical condition following the crash and being ejected from the vehicle. The identity of the suspect, who is described as a Hispanic male 33 years old, is being witheld at this time due to his injuries. He will be lodged for Robbery 2, Assault 4 (x2), and Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle. 

The Grants Pass Police Department would like to thank all who assisted with the investigation and apprehension. We especially want to thank our community partner Safeway and our professional partner the California Highway Patrol. Anyone having further information related to this robbery investigation is encouraged to call the Grants Pass Police non-emergency line at 541-450-6260 and reference case #21-39993.

Update:

Andrew Paul Soliz jr, a 33 year old Latino male, has been identified as the suspect who assaulted two elderly citizens in the Safeway parking lot in Grants Pass and took their vehicle. After crashing the vehicle in California while being pursued by CHP, Soliz was later released from the hospital that day and lodged at the Siskiyou County Jail on numerous California felony charges including a parole violation. He will be additionally charged with second degree robbery and second degree assault stemming from his crimes in Grants Pass, Oregon.

On September 14, 2021 at about 1825 hours, the Grants Pass Police Department Dispatch Center received reports of a adult female pedestrian being struck by a vehicle on in the 1700 block of SW G Street.  Personnel from the Grants Pass Police Department, Grants Pass Fire/Rescue, and AMR responded to the scene.  The investigation required the closure of SW G Street for approximately an hour. 

The female was transported to a southern Oregon hospital with injuries. The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene and cooperated with the investigation.

Grants Pass Police Traffic Team members and Detectives responded to the scene and continued the investigation. Currently, it does not appear there was criminal conduct by the driver of the vehicle.  Anyone who may have witnessed this event is asked to please contact Detective John Lohrfink at (541) 450-6260.

Ernest_Langford.PNG

On 09/09/2021, detectives with the Grants Pass Police Department traveled to Roseburg, Oregon for an investigation related to online corruption of a child.  With the assistance of Roseburg patrol and detectives, Ernest Langford Jr was contacted, interviewed, and later lodged at the Douglas County Jail after Ernest Langford Jr attempted to have sexual contact with two minor females via the internet.  

ARRESTEE: 

Langford Jr, Ernest Dwayne

CHARGES: 

Online Sexual Corruption of a Child in the First Degree X2

Luring a Minor x2

This criminal investigation is on-going and anyone with information is encouraged to contact Grants Pass Police Department Detective Yerrick at 541-450-6260. 

Robert Vanzels (63)

***UPDATE***

SUBJECT WAS LOCATED AND IS SAFE AT HOME.

On August 26, 2021, at about 1:30 PM, Robert Vanzels (63 YOA) left his home in the Fruitdale area of Grants Pass on foot. Vanzels has significant medical issues and is on medication that causes confusion and lapses in memory.

White male adult, 6'4", 280 lbs, gray hair, black beard. Last seen wearing a gray or brown short sleeve button up shirt, blue jeans, and black boots.

If located, please contact the GPDPS at 541-450-6260. Reference case number 21-37198