A Medford man faces drug, firearm and eluding charges after two police pursuits ended in crashes and subsequent searches uncovered fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine and a loaded handgun, authorities said.
Ismael Garcia-Nava Jr., 32, was lodged in the Jackson County Jail after his Sept. 19 arrest following an attempted traffic stop by Central Point police.
Garcia-Nava had previously been arrested Aug. 12 after a pursuit involving Jackson County Sheriff’s deputies and Medford police. He was released Aug. 22 because of jail overcrowding, one day before deputies searched his seized vehicle and discovered drugs and a firearm.
The first pursuit began when a sheriff’s deputy attempted to stop a vehicle for speeding. The vehicle entered an industrial area, where the deputy lost sight of it. Medford officers located the vehicle, which continued to flee before crashing on Elk Street.
Medford police helped establish a perimeter and deployed a drone. Garcia-Nava was spotted fleeing on foot and jumping fences before officers took him into custody without further incident.
Authorities said he had an active warrant for a parole violation related to unlawful delivery of heroin. His vehicle was seized under a warrant for further investigation.
During an Aug. 23 search of the vehicle, deputies reported finding 41 grams of fentanyl, 26 grams of methamphetamine, 93 grams of marijuana, packaging material, a digital scale and a loaded semi-automatic handgun. Additional charges were filed, and a warrant was issued for Garcia-Nava’s arrest.
On Sept. 19, Central Point police attempted to stop Garcia-Nava near Hanley Road and West Pine Street. Police said that after officers terminated the pursuit, he continued driving recklessly through heavy traffic before crashing at North Front and Laurel streets.
Garcia-Nava fled on foot and discarded a shoulder bag before officers arrested him without incident, police said.
A search warrant for the bag was granted Sept. 24. Officers reported finding 396 grams of heroin, 64 grams of fentanyl, 2.5 grams of methamphetamine, a digital scale and drug packaging.
The two searches yielded a combined 105 grams of fentanyl and nearly 400 grams of heroin.
Garcia-Nava’s charges include unlawful possession, manufacture and delivery of controlled substances, felon in possession of a firearm, multiple counts of eluding police and reckless driving.
The case remains open. Authorities said no further information was available for release.
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