On November 9, 2017, at approximately 3:45 pm, Medford Police officers responded to an Armed Robbery at the Chase Bank located at 601 Crater Lake Ave.
While officers were en route to the bank, an additional report was received by the Medford Police that a vehicle had just been stolen from the First Baptist Church, adjacent to the bank, and the owner of the vehicle had been stabbed.
It was quickly determined the suspect in the Bank Robbery was likely the suspect in the assault and of a stolen vehicle.
Medford Police Detectives responded to the scene and were able to determine the suspect, later identified as 40-year-old John Eric Young, had entered the Chase Bank alone and armed with a screwdriver. He confronted a customer in the bank, identified as George Nye, and demanded his vehicle keys and money, while simultaneously demanding cash from the teller. Mr. Nye did not comply with Young’s demands and Young slashed at him causing injury. Mr. Nye attempted to restrain spect who fled the bank on foot with an undisclosed amount of money.
After fleeing the bank, Young attempted to steal Nye’s vehicle that was parked in the bank parking lot. When Young was unable to enter the vehicle, he ran northbound to the First Baptist Church parking lot, where he entered a Ford F-150 that was parked in front of the church.
The owner of the Ford F-150, a First Baptist Church employee, observed Young in his vehicle and saw he was now armed with a large knife Young had stolen from the employee’s Ford F-150. Young demanded the vehicle keys from the employee who did not provide them. As this confrontation was happening, Richard Robertson arrived at the church in his Gold 2001 Chevrolet Suburban.
Robbery suspect John Eric Young then enters Mr. Robertson’s vehicle on the passenger side and demanded the use of the vehicle while threatening him with the knife. Young then stabs Mr. Robertson, who in an effort to defend himself sustained a significant laceration to his right forearm.
Mr. Robertson escaped the vehicle and Young subsequently steals it while driving erratically through the parking lot. Prior to exiting the parking lot, Young strikes an additional victim with the stolen vehicle, causing minor injury. A witness, who observed Young leaving the parking lot, followed him a short distance but ultimately lost sight of him in the area of Biddle Rd and 4th St.
Mr. Nye’s injuries were treated at the scene.
Mr. Robertson the owner of the now stolen Gold 2001 Chevrolet Suburban was transported to a local hospital where he was treated and released for his injuries. A Medford Police officer had applied a tourniquet to Mr. Robertson in an effort to minimize his blood loss.
The victim who was struck by the vehicle sought medical attention on his own.
At approximately 4:45 pm, a citizen reported a vehicle matching the description of the stolen suburban was parked in the Circle K parking lot at South Riverside and Barnett Rd. Officers responded to the Circle K and located the unoccupied stolen vehicle.
On November 9th, at approximately 8:00 pm, Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputies investigated a single vehicle accident in the 200 block of 2nd Avenue in Gold Hill. They located Young, who had fled the crash scene; he was arrested on charges related to that accident.
Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputies were aware of the Chase Bank robbery and believed Young matched the description of the suspect, that had been provided by Medford Police Detectives. The investigation revealed that Young was responsible for the Bank Robbery, Assaults, and Stolen Vehicle. Detectives subsequently added charges relating to his involvement.
Medford Police Detectives and the F.B.I. are continuing to investigate this case and anyone with information is asked to call Det. K. Ivens at 541-774-2266.