Medford Police officers responded around 8:45 p.m. Sunday to a reported armed robbery at the West Main Street Walgreens. The suspects have been identified and lodged.
Store employees confronted a male and female who were attempting to leave the store with a shopping cart full of unpaid merchandise. During the confrontation, the female suspect reportedly produced a handgun, pointed it at an employee, and threatened to shoot.
The suspects left the area in a white SUV with a black roof rack. Responding officers searched the area but were unable to locate the suspects or vehicle. Store security footage corroborated employee statements, and investigators obtained video and still images of the suspects and involved vehicle.
Tuesday at approximately 12:30 p.m., an officer located the vehicle near Sage Road and Highway 238. When officers attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver fled at a high rate of speed. Officers initiated a pursuit. The vehicle traveled through several areas before entering Interstate 5 northbound. Police were assisted by the Oregon State Police and the Jackson County Sheriff's Department.
The pursuit continued northbound on I-5. Multiple attempts to deploy spike strips were unsuccessful until they were successfully deployed near milepost 54. The suspect vehicle came to a stop, and its occupants were taken into custody.
Detectives lodged Sharlene Elizabeth Paul, 49, and Cody Katcheech, 36, in the Jackson County Jail. Paul was lodged for First Degree Robbery, two counts of Unlawful Use of a Weapon, First Degree Kidnap, Elude, Reckless Driving, and Second Degree Theft. Katcheech was lodged for a Probation Violation, Felony Driving While Suspended, and Theft in the Second Degree.
