A local man is wanted by law enforcement in connection with a crime spree that spans Josephine and Jackson counties.
55-year-old Billy Dean Gregory, of O’Brien, is wanted on multiple outstanding warrants, both of which are related to his failure to appear in court. According to a press release from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Gregory faces multiple additional charges, including theft, reckless driving, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, and attempting to elude police. At the moment, Gregory’s attempts to elude capture have been somewhat successful, though his path was relatively easy to trace.
Just before 10:30 AM on Dec. 29, according to the release, Josephine County authorities were pursuing a stolen vehicle, driven by Gregory, on I-5 headed in the direction of Jackson County.
Members of the Central Point Police Department quickly deployed spike strips after Gregory crossed over into Jackson County, and although these spike strips were successful, the suspect continued to drive the damaged vehicle into Ashland. Due to public safety concerns, the pursuit was later called off.
The stolen vehicle was located in the Lori Lane area of Ashland later that day, with Gregory presuming to have left on foot, Despite drone and K-9 searches, he was not located. However, also later that day, a vehicle was reported stolen from Big Al’s restaurant in Ashland. This vehicle was then found just outside of Ashland, close to where another vehicle had been reported stolen.
Gregory’s alleged multi-vehicle joyride was not over quite yet, as he made his way into Talent next. While there, authorities were made aware of a man fitting his description who had been
witnessed stealing alcohol from the Talent Liquor Store. By the time law enforcement arrived, the suspect had left. The third stolen vehicle was later recovered in the 5800 block of Colver Road in Talent.
Gregory remains at large as of Jan. 13, and has failed to appear for one other court appearance in the time since his multi-county pursuit. Anybody with knowledge of Gregory’s whereabouts is urged to call 911.