On Monday, February 8th, the Grants Pass Department of Public Safety received numerous 911 calls just after 9:00pm reporting vehicles being set on fire by a male suspect with a gas can. Grants Pass Department of Public Safety Police and Fire/Rescue units were immediately dispatched to the area.
As units responded, the male suspect attempted to flee the area on foot shattering windows of other vehicles as he ran while additional callers reported their vehicles parked in the area had also had their car tires slashed.
Citizens were observed chasing the male suspect as Police units were arriving into the area. Authorities then placed the male suspect in custody without further incident.
The suspect was identified as 36 year old Grant Brannaman who has a listed Portland Oregon address. Grants Pass Fire/Rescue arrived and assisted with the fire clean-up as the fire had been extinguished prior to their arrival. One vehicle sustained heavy damage from being lit on fire.
Brannaman was later lodged at the Josephine County Jail on charges of Arson in the Second Degree, Criminal Mischief in the First-Degree, Criminal Mischief in the Second-Degree, Felon in Possession of a Restricted Weapon and Disorderly Conduct.
