Armed Man Behind Bars After Fleeing From Law Enforcement

OSP Detectives Investigating Incident Involving Jackson County SO Deputy's Car Sideswiping Armed, Fleeing Man in White City

Oregon State Police (OSP) Criminal Investigations Division detectives, at the request of Jackson County Sheriff's Office (JCSO), are investigating an incident that occurred early Thursday afternoon in which a deputy's marked vehicle sideswiped a man armed with a gun. The suspect was trying to flee deputies on foot from a vehicle at a White City gas station and was eventually taken into custody in a nearby field with the assistance of a JCSO K-9.

On April 17, 2014 at approximately 12:01 p.m., JCSO deputies responded to a report of a wanted person inside a vehicle at a Chevron gas station located at 6779 Highway 62 in White City. As two deputies arrived on scene, two people were seen inside the car. A male, later identified as FRANK JOSEPH HERNANDEZ JR, age 21, from Central Point, exited from the rear seat and as he started running, a gun fell from his person onto the ground.

A deputy in a marked vehicle started driving in the direction HERNANDEZ was running as a second handgun fell onto the ground. HERNANDEZ allegedly stopped, grabbed the second gun off the ground and pointed it at the approaching marked vehicle driven by the deputy. As HERNANDEZ turned to run again, the marked vehicle sideswiped HERNANDEZ briefly knocking him to the ground before he got up and ran into a field.

A deputy with a K-9 pursued on foot. The K-9 overtook HERNANDEZ who was subsequently taken into custody. HERNANDEZ received a hand injury caused by the K-9 and was driven by police to an area hospital for treatment.

HERNANDEZ is being lodged in the Jackson County Jail by OSP on the several charges including:

* Theft in the First Degree
* Unlawful Possession of a Firearm
* Menacing
* Unlawful Use of a Firearm
* Interfering with Police Officer
* Felon in Possession of a Weapon (2 counts)
* Alteration, Obliteration of a Serial Number on a Firearm

Two other people associated with the vehicle were arrested by JCSO. Their names are not available.

OSP will forward the investigation to Jackson County District Attorney's Office for review.