A break-in at Gimmies Grill and the theft of the local golf club’s golf carts In the early morning hours of Dec. 27 appears to have been perpetrated by the same person who stole a city-of-Cave-Junction-owned dump truck the day before, according to the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office.
Gimmies Grill, which is located within the bounds of the Illinois Valley Country Club, had recently treated the community to a free to-go spaghetti dinner on Christmas Eve. Two nights later, a man who was later identified by the Josephine County’s Sheriff’s Office as 26-year-old Charles Dunnick Jr., was captured on camera breaking in to the area where the country club’s golf carts are kept.
Based on an interview with a Gimmies employee, as well as police reports, Dunnick then proceeded to spray-paint multiple outside security cameras, as well as several of the golf carts. After this, he was filmed ramming the golf carts into the front door of the establishment. Once inside, cameras captured him stealing money from the register, and going back and forth several times between the restaurant and the golf carts.
Though only one person was caught on camera during this incident, two golf carts were stolen from the premises. The involvement of a second person in the burglary or its aftermath has not been confirmed.
Pictures of the damage to Gimmies were posted to social media, as well as pictures of the stolen and spray-painted golf carts at Chevron, across town from Gimmies.
Dunnick was apprehended by the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office on Dec. 27 at approximately 10:30 AM, and lodged in the Josephine County Jail.
He has been indicted by a Grand Jury on six felony counts of unauthorized use of a vehicle, one count of second-degree burglary, one count of first-degree theft, and one count of first degree criminal mischief, and unlawful use of a weapon. He also faces several misdemeanor counts.
Less than 24 hours before the Gimmies break-in, According to court documents, Dunnick is alleged to have stolen a dump truck and trailer, both owned by the city of Cave Junction, from a property on N Sawyer Avenue. He then drove the dump truck out of the gated property, causing damage to the gate. The truck and trailer were left on Caves Highway.
Dunnick’s bail has been set at $25,000, and his next hearing is scheduled to take place on Jan. 26 at the Josephine County Courthouse.