Billy Dean Gregory allegedly abandoned multiple stolen vehicles in Ashland and Talent
Ashland.news staff report
The man who led law enforcement on a high-speed chase and stole multiple vehicles last month is sitting in a Washington jail.
Billy Dean Gregory, 55, was taken into custody on Friday, Jan. 16, and booked into the Clark County Jail, according to a Jackson County Sheriff’s Office press release.
Washougal police officers arrested Gregory on charges of third-degree theft and making a false statement to a public servant, the sheriff’s office news release read. He is also being held on outstanding warrants for 13 additional charges, including five counts of theft, forgery, theft of a motor vehicle, and attempting to elude law enforcement, according to the sheriff’s office.
Local charges connected to the case have been referred to the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office.
Gregory was previously sought by Rogue Valley law enforcement following a Dec. 29 crime spree that involved multiple stolen vehicles — including one in Ashland and one in Talent — and a high-speed pursuit.
According to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, the initial incident began when a stolen vehicle was reported eluding police on Interstate 5 in Josephine County.
The pursuit continued into Jackson County, where Central Point Police put out spike strips along Interstate 5.
Despite the vehicle’s damage, Gregory continued at high speed into Ashland. Officers later terminated the pursuit due to public safety concerns.
Deputies later found the abandoned vehicle on Lori Lane in Ashland and searched the area for Gregory to no avail.
Later, Gregory allegedly stole a car from Big Al’s restaurant in Ashland and was reported to have ditched the vehicle on North Valley View Road, outside of Ashland, where Gregory stole a third car.
It was later reported that Gregory allegedly stole alcohol from the Talent Liquor store. The third stolen vehicle was located on Colver Road in Talent.
Email Ashland.news associate editor Steve Mitchell at stevem@ashland.news.
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