Grants Pass Police Officers responded to calls for assistance at the scene of a car crash just after 6:00pm, early Wednesday evening, October 5th, on SW Greenwood Avenue near Westholm Park.
The driver of a silver VW Beatle, identified as Geraldo Lepe Oliva, had intentionally crashed into the driver’s side of a white Toyota Corolla with three female occupants after chasing them through the city. Police dispatch received additional calls stating Oliva had exited the VW, grabbed a large car jack, and was attempting to break out the windows of the Toyota occupied by the terrified women.
Oliva was confronted by area residents before he began to walk away as police units arrived. Oliva casually walked to the front door of a nearby home and knocked on the door as the first arriving police officer shouted for him to stop. Oliva opened the door, entered, and closed the door behind him.
A woman exited the home with her 4-year-old son and infant child and told officers she had no idea who the man was that had just entered her home.
After loudspeaker announcements received no response, K-9 Maro, his handler, and other officers entered the home to search for Oliva, who was discovered hiding in the child’s bedroom closet, attempting to bark like a dog. When Oliva refused to surrender, K-9 Maro apprehended Oliva.
Oliva was unknown to the victims or citizens involved in the incident. Oliva’s statement revealed he had mistakenly believed his wife was inside the white Corolla.
Grants Pass Police Officers, after obtaining medical aid for the suspect, lodged Geraldo Lepe Oliva at the Josephine County Jail for Attempted 2nd Degree Assault, 1st Degree Burglary, four counts of Menacing, Reckless Driving, three counts of Reckless Endangering, Attempted Unlawful Entry into a Vehicle, Hit and Run, and 1st Degree Criminal Mischief.
