Deputies Arrest Armed Robbery Suspect (Photo)

EAGLE POINT, Ore. – Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) detectives say one man is in custody and another is outstanding after a home invasion robbery on Saturday morning.  The incident began at a property associated with a marijuana grow near Eagle Point.  A multi-agency pursuit of a suspect vehicle ended near Winston in Douglas County. 

On November 2, 2019, at 3:34 a.m., dispatch received a 911 call from a resident in the 2700-block of Alta Vista Road.  The caller reported that she and a man in the home were handcuffed and robbed by two armed men wearing masks.  The suspects fled the scene in the victims’ vehicle, a white 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan with Oregon license plate 167LRH.

Deputies and officers from nearby agencies attempted to locate the vehicle.  A Central Point Police Department officer located the Volkswagen at the intersection of Table Rock Road and Vilas Road and attempted a traffic stop.  The vehicle fled at high rate of speed toward Central Point and entered Interstate 5 at exit 33, to the north.  The Volkswagen was apparently traveling with a white 2012 BMW that also sped away north on I-5. 

Officers lost sight of the vehicles around Gold Hill.  A Grants Pass Department of Public Safety officer located the BMW driving north on I-5.  A JCSO deputy caught up to the vehicle at mile marker 89 and continued pursuing it through Josephine County and into Douglas County. 

Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) deputies assumed the pursuit.  Spike strips were deployed successfully and the suspect vehicle slowed but did not stop.  The driver then crashed the BMW at mile marker 117 and fled on foot.  Deputies and Oregon State Police personnel searched the area but did not immediately find the driver.

At approximately 6:45 p.m. on Saturday, DCSO deputies located the driver and took him into custody.  He had apparently hidden for hours before approaching a resident that evening to ask for help.  The resident, aware of the earlier pursuit and crash, immediately alerted deputies.  DCSO deputies recognized the man, Nathan Daniel Perkins, 36, of Portland, as the driver who fled the scene after the pursuit. 

A JCSO deputy responded to take custody of Perkins and transport him to the Jackson County jail, following medical clearance at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center.  Perkins was lodged initially on two felony probation violation detention warrants and a charge of driving while suspended/revoked (misdemeanor).  He is being held without bail due to the probation violations.  

Detectives have since added multiple charges related to the incident:  first degree robbery; aggravated first degree theft; first degree burglary; attempting to elude police in a vehicle; attempting to elude police on foot; coercion; second degree robbery; and, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.  Additional charges may be added as the investigation continues.

In the meantime, JCSO detectives have been trying to track down the stolen Volkswagen and suspect, as well as any other information about the robbery.  Anyone with information is asked to call the JCSO tip line at (541) 770-8333. 

Case #19-23095

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