This is an update to our earlier story on the incident from 12/31/21.
The first call involving Smith came in December 31st, 2021 at 12:15 p.m., when he was disorderly at the Chevron gas Station, 2232 Biddle Road. A male, later identified as 28 year old, Brian Matthew Smith (no address listed), was attempting to steal cigarettes and physically harassed the employee before leaving in a black Mazda 4 door. He was with a female, whom police have identified.
The same vehicle was involved in two reckless driving calls around 12:24 p.m. One caller reported the vehicle had driven into some bushes in the alley near Lincoln Street and 10th Street. The vehicle drove away in a reckless manner and struck a curb near 10th Street and Hamilton Street. The crash caused a wheel to fold underneath the vehicle. At this point, the vehicle was occupied by only one person, believed to be Smith.
Additional callers reported the vehicle being driven into downtown Medford with a heavily damaged wheel. The vehicle finally became disabled at Earhart Street, near S. Riverside Avenue.
An additional caller reported the suspect went to a room at the Sis-Q motel. One officer arrived on scene, and as she made her way to the front desk to speak with the manager, the suspect emerged from the office area covered in blood, and fled on foot. The officer caught the suspect after a foot chase, and utilized a taser to take him into custody.
When officers went back to the manager’s office, they found the manager deceased. His wife was also injured from being assaulted.
The investigation revealed just minutes prior to the officer arriving, the suspect forced his way into the manager’s office, crawled under the plexi-glass partition and stole money from the register. During the robbery, the suspect assaulted the manager and forced his way into the manager’s living quarters, where he continued to assault the manager and his wife. The manager, Bansi Sahu, died from his injuries. His wife was treated on scene with non life threatening injuries.
The suspect was later lodged in jail for:
– Murder
– Robbery 1st Degree
– Burglary 1st Degree
– Burglary 2nd Degree
Bail: None
Courtesy of Medford Police
