February 1, 2013
Lieutenant Gregg Hastings
On January 31, 2013 at approximately 1:23 a.m., OSP spotted a vehicle, a white 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe, which recklessly eluded troopers two days earlier. An OSP sergeant involved in both incidents saw the vehicle near W. Stewart Avenue and E. Riverside Avenue in Medford and attempted to stop it. The vehicle attempted to elude as another OSP trooper got in position to assist the sergeant while officers from Jackson County Sheriff's Office and Medford Police Department were in the area to help.
The vehicle continued recklessly, driving through stop signs and traffic signals, eventually traveling onto Highway 62 where it pulled into a parking lot near milepost 2. Both OSP vehicles deployed tactical vehicle intervention techniques forcing the Chevrolet Tahoe to a stop.
The driver, JEREMY RAY RASMUSSEN, age 26, from Central Point, failed to comply with the officer's orders. After a Taser was deployed on RASMUSSEN, he cooperated and was taken into custody. He was not injured.
RASMUSSEN was linked to not only the previous elude from OSP but was also a suspect in past eludes from other local law enforcement agencies. He was lodged in Jackson County Jail on the following charges:
* Felony Attempt to Elude in a Vehicle (2 counts)
* Reckless Driving (2 counts)
* Misdemeanor Driving While Suspended (2 counts)
* Recklessly Endangering Another Person
* Probation Violation Warrant - Fail to Register as a Sex Offender
A passenger was also arrested after his parole officer authorized a detainer to hold him in custody. The passenger's name is not available.