Just after midnight Tuesday, September 24, a Jackson County Sheriff’s Office deputy tried to stop a lifted black Ford F-350 pickup for multiple traffic violations in White City. The vehicle fled south on Highway 62, then turned toward the Corey Road area.
The vehicle turned onto McLoughlin Drive and then continued through the intersection with East Vilas Road without stopping. The pickup crashed into a tree and caused significant damage to the orchard. The suspect was able to free the vehicle and flee the crash scene, forcing an incoming Jackson County Sheriff’s vehicle to drive into a ditch to avoid a collision.
The pursuit continued for approximately 3.5 miles. An officer with the Central Point Police Department successfully used spike strips at the intersection of Table Rock Road and East Vilas Road. Three flattened tires disabled the pickup at the intersection of Table Rock Road and Orr Drive, stopping the pursuit.
“Pursuit intervention tools like spike strips are incredibly useful in stopping a fleeing suspect,” said Sergeant Julie Denney. “We are thankful our partner agencies were there to help us stop this dangerous driver.”
The driver tried to flee on foot, but was quickly captured. Deputies took the driver into custody and identified him as 31 year old Andrew James Caucutt Jr., of Medford. Nobody else was in the vehicle.
Caucutt had a U.S. Marshals Service warrant for his arrest for a federal probation violation. He was lodged in jail on the warrant and new charges of attempting to elude police in a vehicle and on foot, reckless driving, and first-degree criminal mischief. The case will be forwarded to the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office to review for additional charges.
Deputies were assisted by personnel from the Medford Police Department, Central Point Police Department, and Oregon State Police.
