Chaos during capture of car thief injures 1 deputy

On Jan. 23, 2024, close to 10 p.m., deputies with the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office located two stolen vehicles which were being driven on Fish Hatchery Road. Deputies attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the two stolen vehicles at which time the stolen vehicles increased their speed in an apparent attempt to flee from deputies.
Deputies pursued the stolen vehicles on Fish Hatchery Road and then onto Cheney Creek Road. At one point of the pursuit, one of the stolen vehicles failed to negotiate a corner and was stopped while the other stolen vehicle continued fleeing. The second stolen vehicle was able to evade capture when deputies stopped with the spun-out stolen vehicle. Deputies then attempted to order the driver out of the vehicle.
Instead of complying, the suspect backed into a pursuing patrol car. The stolen vehicle’s tow hitch became entangled to the patrol car’s push bumper and the driver continued to flee, dragging the patrol car behind it. In order to stop the fleeing vehicle, a deputy discharged their firearm at a tire to effectively disable the suspect vehicle.
Once the suspect vehicle was stopped, the suspect failed to follow the commands of deputies and was taken into custody after a brief struggle. One deputy received minor injuries during the struggle to arrest the suspect. That deputy was treated and released at a local hospital.
The suspect was identified as Asa Martinson Squire.
Martinson Squire was transported to the Josephine County Jail and lodged on multiple charges. Troopers from Oregon State Police assisted deputies in this incident.
Because a firearm was discharged, detectives from OSP responded and assisted the sheriff’s office with this investigation. The sheriff’s office would like to thank the OSP for their continued support and partnership.
This case has been referred to the Josephine County District Attorney and further comment should be sought from their office.