Medford Police officers responded to a report that an occupant of a passing vehicle had pointed a firearm at a woman near Crater Lake Avenue and Delta Waters Road in Medford at approximately 8:00pm Monday evening.
As the woman remained on the phone with dispatch providing real-time updates, officers located the vehicle near Hawthorne Park and attempted a traffic stop.
The driver then fled, losing control of the vehicle while turning onto Jackson Street, and crashing into a fence at Hawthorne Park.
After the crash, as a 17 year old male who remained in the vehicle was detained, 26 year old Kevin J. Borja and 19 year old Jayden E. Hodge ran into Hawthorne park where Borja discarded a pistol during the foot chase before entering Bear Creek and hiding in thick brush.
The vehicle was connected to a recent armed robbery reported to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, during which multiple firearms were stolen. One stolen firearm was visible inside the vehicle.
Medford Police SWAT responded due to the suspects’ history and the presence of firearms and a thermal drone located a heat source in the brush. Officers used announcements and less-lethal tools before K9 Bruno located and apprehended Borja. Hodge was found shortly afterward and taken into custody without further incident.
The vehicle was impounded and served a search warrant, where a second stolen firearm was located. Borja and Hodge were lodged at the Jackson County Jail and the 17 year old was detained, and his case will be referred to juvenile authorities.
This case remains under investigation.
