The incident began just before 4:00am Wednesday morning, October 30th, when Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputies were alerted to a suspicious vehicle parked along a hemp field southwest of Medford.
Deputies arrived and tried to wake a man sleeping inside the gray Dodge Durango parked partially in the roadway. He refused to exit the vehicle or identify himself and then drove off. Deputies believe another person associated with the vehicle may have been left behind in the area.
The driver, later identified as 45 year old Jon Allen Firehammer of Grants Pass, fled through several rural properties, crashing through security gates and causing other property damage. Deputies used spike strips and a pursuit intervention technique (PIT) maneuver to attempt to immobilize the vehicle.
Firehammer stopped in a private driveway and fled on foot. At that time a Jackson County Sheriff’s K9 team was deployed and tracked him for 90 minutes through several hundred feet of blackberry bushes ultimately taking Firehammer into custody. He was found to be in possession of counterfeit money. Deputies were assisted by personnel from Oregon State Police, Medford Police, Phoenix Police, and Talent Police.
Firehammer initially provided a false name. Deputies at the Jackson County jail were able to ascertain his true identity, which revealed he had multiple warrants for his arrest.
Deputies lodged Firehammer in jail on charges of interfering with a peace officer; attempting to elude police in a vehicle; attempting to elude police on foot; hit and run – property damage (three counts); first degree criminal mischief (three counts); first degree criminal possession of a forged instrument (two counts); reckless driving; driving while suspended (felony); giving false information to police; identity theft.
Deputies say the investigation is ongoing. The district attorney’s office will review the case for additional charges.
