The Grants Pass Department of Public Safety received multiple 911 calls at 11:38 am, on Thursday, March 11th, reporting a disturbance in which a female was thrown to the ground and assaulted by a male subject who was also reported to be trying to gouge out the female’s eyeballs.
When officers arrived on scene, the disturbance appeared to be over and the male suspect, identified as 40 year old Anthony Paris Alberts, was standing outside. Officers quickly determined they had probable cause that an assault had occurred and told Alberts he was under arrest. Alberts responded by locking himself inside the residence and refused to come out.
Upon further investigation, officers learned that Alberts had attacked the victim, who was a friend of his mother’s, in the driveway. Alberts picked up the 63-year-old woman and slammed her into the ground before striking her and trying to gouge her eyes out with his fingers, all while threatening to kill her.
Based upon additional information obtained, officers believed Alberts was suffering from a mental health crisis. Numerous officers and detectives responded to assist in the investigation. The victim sustained serious physical injuries and was transported by American Medical Response ambulance to Three Rivers Medical Center for treatment.
Due to the nature of the incident, the Grants Pass Department of Public Safety Crisis Negotiations Team and Special Weapons and Tactics Team were requested, along with a mental health consultant.
Over the next two hours, negotiators attempted to de-escalate the situation and encourage Alberts to come out of the residence but he refused to communicate. Around 2:00pm, Alberts tried to escape out the back door of the residence, where he was met by Police K9 Maro and his handler. Alberts was bit by the K9 but continued to resist and another officer deployed his Taser. Alberts was eventually taken into custody by additional officers on scene.
Alberts was transported by American Medical Response ambulance to Three Rivers Medical Center for evaluation. He was later lodged at the Josephine County Jail on multiple charges.
