Very early, May 21st, Grants Pass Police officers responded to reports of an armed robbery at the Lucky Duck on Redwood Avenue where a male suspect allegedly brandished a firearm while demanding money from the business employee before the suspect fled from the scene in a vehicle driven by another person.
Just before midnight, two days later, on May 22nd, a second armed robbery occurred at the Lucky Duck on NW 6th Street after the same suspect entered the store and demanded money from the business employee at gunpoint, however, during this incident, a second male suspect stood at the doorway during the robbery before both males fled in a black GMC Yukon driven by a third person.
Grants Pass Police Detectives continued their investigative efforts to identify the suspects that began after the first Lucky Duck robbery, with the help of business owners sharing video footage, police detectives were able to determine the path of travel after the crime. Police personnel used extensive technological means to obtain further details about the suspect car to help identify it.
Early in the morning of May 24th, a Grants Pass Police K-9 officer located the suspect Yukon in the area of West Park and with the vehicle in Police custody, further investigation into the suspects continued leading to another search warrant service to an address on SW David Drive where a warrant was served by the Grants Pass Police Special Weapons and Tactics Team because of the nature of the criminal charges.
28 year old Michael Smith, and 45 year old Stephen Newell, both of Grants Pass were lodged at the Josephine County Jail after Smith was charged with Robbery in the First Degree. Newell was lodged for 2 counts of Robbery in the First Degree, 2 counts of Theft in the First Degree, 2 counts of Unlawful use of a Weapon, and 2 counts of Menacing. 24 year old Seryne Martin, was lodged for Tampering with Evidence. Additional charges may follow.
