Man Who Got Stuck in Downtown Medford Elevator During Burglary, Sentenced to Prison

Medford, Oregon– The Jackson County District Attorney’s Office announced that Tyler Petersen, 42, was convicted and sentenced on March 27, 2025, for burglary and criminal mischief charges following a jury trial. Petersen was found guilty of one count of Burglary in the Second Degree and two counts of Criminal Mischief in the First Degree.

The charges stem from an incident on December 1, 2024, when Officer Mellgren of the Medford Police Department responded to a report of someone trapped in an elevator at 711 E Main Street in Medford during non-business hours. Maintenance personnel, who had reported repeated vandalism to the elevator, requested law enforcement to investigate whether the trapped individual had caused further damage.

Officer Mellgren and maintenance personnel accessed the elevator and found Petersen inside. An investigation determined that Petersen had caused extensive damage to the elevator’s interior, resulting in repairs costing several thousand dollars. The elevator remained out of service for one month, limiting access to Rogue Retreat, a business located on the second floor, which affected individuals with mobility impairments.

During his arrest, Petersen intentionally damaged Officer Mellgren’s patrol vehicle, causing over $1,000 in damage.

Following a two-day trial on March 26 and March 27, a jury found Petersen guilty on all counts. The jury also approved sentencing enhancements after hearing testimony from Petersen’s parole officer, confirming that Petersen was on parole at the time of the incident for multiple prior convictions, including burglary, criminal mischief, and theft.

The Jackson County District Attorney’s Office recommended a 90-month prison sentence, citing Petersen’s extensive criminal history and repeated property crimes. Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Christine Herbert imposed the recommended 90-month sentence.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Michael Cohen prosecuted the case.