Deputies from the Coos County Sheriff’s Office and other agencies have been following tips over the past several months checking locations where it has been reported that 31 year old Joel C. Jones III was hiding after receiving information in April, 2019, that Mr. Jones was wanted on several Parole Violation warrants and was attempting to purchase a firearm. Curry County also advised that Mr. Jones was extremely violent and would actively resist any attempts from law enforcement to take him into custody.
On Tuesday afternoon, October 15th, Mr. Jones was observed outside of the North Bend Office inside the city limits of North Bend. The Officer attempted to place Mr. Jones under arrest and a physical altercation ensued. Mr. Jones was able to fight his way free of the probation officer and fled on foot into the residential area known as “Airport Heights”. A perimeter was established spanning several blocks and Sheriff’s K-9 Officer Odin was called to the scene.
K-9 Officer Odin and his handler arrived on scene and tracked for approximately 2 hours. During this time, K-9 Officer Odin located Mr. Jones’ underwear and narrowed down the search area substantially. It was evident that Mr. Jones had continued to move from location to location to evade capture. During this time the Sheriff’s Office requested the assistance of air assets from the U.S. Coast Guard.
Near the end of the track, police agencies were advised Mr. Jones was hiding in a garage on Oak St. Mr. Jones subsequently fled from the garage and continued to run through numerous privately owned properties as he actively fled from police. Simultaneously, police were receiving several 911 calls stating they observed the suspect.
K-9 Officer Odin continued to diligently work the area and eventually located Mr. Jones hiding in a hole on the side of a sand hill with a plywood board over the top of him to not be seen by the U.S. Coast Guard helicopter.
Upon contact, Mr. struck k-9 Officer Odin several times in the head with a closed fist and was able to break free from Odin.
Mr. Jones then continued to flee down the steep sand embankment where he was confronted by a State Trooper and fought with the State Trooper. With a combined effort between the State Trooper and K-9 Officer Odin, Mr. Jones was taken into custody at that location without further incident or threat to the public.
Mr. Jones was transported to the Coos County Jail on several outstanding warrants for his arrest. Mr. Jones will additionally be charged with Burglary II, Interfere with a Public Safety Animal, Resisting Arrest, Escape II, Escape III and several counts of Criminal Trespass stemming from this incident.
