Grants Pass Shoplifter Pulled a Knife on Customer After Clerk Tried to Lock Him Inside, Police Say
GRANTS PASS, Ore. — A customer at a Grants Pass A-1 Market was held at knife-point when an unknown man, who had snatched several items off the shelves, was prevented from leaving the store.
The incident occurred at 2.05 p.m. on Sunday at the A-1 Market at 4203 Upper River Road.
The suspect, a white male between 40 and 50 years of age, with gray hair, was wearing a red hat, blue sweatshirt and blue jeans. He had been in the store earlier in the day but left because he had no money.
Deputies from the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office and Troopers from the Oregon State Police responded to a report of a robbery.
They were told that a store clerk had tried to prevent the man from leaving with the stolen items by locking the door.
- Feb 1, 2026 2:05 p.m. : Deputies respond to A 1 Market, 4203 Upper River Road.
- Feb 1 : Suspect grabs items after earlier visit with no money.
- Feb 1 : Clerk blocks exit, suspect holds knife to customer.
- Feb 1 : Clerk opens door, suspect flees on Upper River Road.
- Feb 1 : Search fails, tips requested at 541 474 5123.
The suspect then produced a knife and held it against a customer who was shopping in the store. The clerk feared for their lives and opened the door for the man, who fled on foot.
The suspect was last seen fleeing on Upper River Road. However, he could not be located when law enforcement officers searched the area.
No one was injured during the robbery, and the case is under investigation by Corporal Schreiber. Anyone with information about the incident should call the Sheriff’s Office at 541-474-5123.