Just after 7:00pm, Sunday evening, February 28th, 911 emergency calls were being received reporting a male subject was lighting the gas pumps on fire at the Pacific Pride location on Rogue River Hwy. At approximately the same time, an alarm call was received at the Industrial Source Welding Supply location, also in close proximity to the gas pumps.
The Grants Pass Department of Public Safety Police and Fire/Rescue units responded to each scene. as dispatchers provided updates from callers, regarding a male subject responsible for both the fire at Pacific Pride and what was determined to be a burglary at the welding supply.
After taking a gas pump from another citizen’s vehicle who had been filling her vehicle’s tank, the male subject, later identified as 44 year-old, Joshua Lee Leach, then used the gas pump to spray fuel into the air and directly onto the pumps. He then tried to start a fire numerous times, until he was successful. The male subject then ran to the welding supply and shattered the front glass door to make an unlawful entry to the business.
Surrounding and nearby businesses were evacuated for precautionary measures by Police Officers before arriving units from the Grants Pass Department of Public Safety Fire/Rescue crews were able to extinguish the fire at the Pacific Pride gas pumps quickly, quite possibly preventing what could have been a large explosive situation.
With the help of witness statements, the male subject was located near the intersection of Fruitdale Dr. and Williams Hwy., and placed in custody without further incident.
After a thorough investigation of both scenes, authorities were able to obtain witness statements as well as video footage of the incidents. Subsequently, 44 year old Joshua Lee Leach, a transient who’s last listed address is in Pennsylvania, was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on multiple charges.
