MEDFORD, OR — A Medford man is back in jail after Jackson County law enforcement say he led officers on two separate high-speed getaways in a little more than a month, each ending in a crash and the recovery of drugs or evidence tied to drug trafficking.
Authorities say Ismael Garcia-Nava Jr., 32, was arrested after a Sept. 19 chase with Central Point police, and that a second case from Aug. 12 led to additional charges after deputies later searched his vehicle. Together, police say the two incidents turned up large amounts of heroin, fentanyl, methamphetamine and a loaded handgun.
Sept. 19 chase ends with a crash near North Front and Laurel
Central Point police say officers first tried to stop Garcia-Nava near Hanley Road and West Pine Street. According to the Central Point Police Department, he tried to get away, and the pursuit continued until officers ended the chase.
Police say he then kept driving recklessly through heavy traffic before crashing at the corner of North Front Street and Laurel Street. After the wreck, investigators say Garcia-Nava ran away and threw down a shoulder bag before officers caught up with him. A search warrant for that bag was later served on Sept. 24.
Search of the shoulder bag turns up heroin, fentanyl and meth
When officers searched the bag, they say they found 396 grams of heroin, 64 grams of fentanyl and 2.5 grams of methamphetamine. Police also reported finding a digital scale and drug packaging materials inside.
The amount and mix of drugs, investigators said, supported trafficking-related accusations rather than simple possession. Garcia-Nava remained in the Jackson County Jail after the Sept. 19 arrest, and the September case became one part of a broader investigation that was already building around his earlier flight from police in August.
August traffic stop in Medford leads to another pursuit
Jackson County Sheriff’s Office deputies say the earlier case began on Aug. 12, when they attempted to pull Garcia-Nava over for speeding. Deputies say he drove into an industrial area, and the deputy lost sight of him.
Medford police later located the vehicle, and Garcia-Nava again ran. The chase ended when he crashed on Elk Street in Medford. Medford officers helped deputies set up a perimeter, and law enforcement also flew a drone during the search. Deputies say they spotted Garcia-Nava running and jumping fences before taking him into custody.
Jail release, car search and the gun found in the August case
Deputies say Garcia-Nava had an active warrant at the time for a parole violation tied to heroin delivery. He was taken to jail, and his car was seized for investigation.
Because of jail overcrowding, he was released on Aug. 22 before deputies could search the vehicle. The next day, deputies searched the car and say they found 41 grams of fentanyl, 26 grams of methamphetamine, 93 grams of marijuana, packaging materials, a digital scale and a loaded semi-automatic handgun. Jackson County Sheriff’s Office later filed additional charges and entered a warrant for his arrest.
More than 100 grams of fentanyl and nearly 400 grams of heroin recovered
Between the two cases, police say the seizures added up to more than 100 grams of fentanyl, nearly 400 grams of heroin, 28 grams of methamphetamine, packaging materials, scales and a loaded gun. Investigators say those findings are part of why the charges now include unlawful possession, manufacture and delivery of controlled substances.
Garcia-Nava also faces multiple counts of eluding and reckless driving, along with a felon-in-possession-of-a-gun charge. Officials say the case remains open, and the arrest is now being handled through the Jackson County jail system as the separate investigations continue to be processed.
