Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputies responded to a trespassing and attempted burglary call at 1:15 a.m. on Friday at the 3600 block of Bellinger Lane in Medford.
It was reported that several armed suspects arrived at the former hemp farm claiming to be law enforcement agents serving a warrant. The property’s residents confronted the suspects and fired several shots as they fled.
JCSO deputies contacted the suspected getaway driver, Derek Gargus, 36, leaving the property at a high rate of speed and he was taken into custody. Deputies discovered another suspect, Ryan Drennen, 44, hiding in a nearby pond. Drennen was taken into custody and transported to an area hospital to be treated for hypothermia. Both suspects are lodged in the Jackson County Jail.
Gargus was charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery. Drennen was charged with attempted first-degree robbery, trespassing while in possession of a firearm, and criminal impersonation of a peace officer.
Two additional suspects are still outstanding.
If you have any information on the whereabouts of the two at-large suspects, call dispatch at (541) 776-7206 and reference JCSO case number 22-0487. All suspects are considered innocent until any/all charges are proven true against them in a court of law.
Source: JCSO
