WHITE CITY - A 34-year-old year old Central Point man is in jail on charges related to a report of gunshots in a White City residential area on Thanksgiving night. Jaime Dilton Dannery Merlos, 34, of the 9900-block of Blackwell Road, was arrested Friday and charged with the following crimes: unlawful use of a weapon, second degree disorderly conduct, recklessly endangering another person, and driving while suspended.
On November 23, 2017, at 8:33 p.m., deputies responded to a report of shots fired on Terr-Mont Street near Castle Circle in White City. Witnesses reported seeing a man in a dark-colored Chevrolet Silverado pickup leaving the area after shooting a rifle into the air.
Deputies checked the neighborhood to ensure nobody was injured and no residences were struck by bullets. Witnesses reported seeing and hearing fireworks discharged around the White City area, leading some neighbors to be confused or unaware of the shots fired. Deputies would like to hear from residents who may find damage from bullets.
On the morning of November 24, a deputy patrolling White City stopped a blue 2003 Chevrolet Silverado pickup. The driver, Merlos, was arrested for criminal driving while suspended. Subsequent investigation led deputies to identify Merlos as the suspect in the previous night's shooting. Deputies obtained a search warrant and recovered a semi-automatic rifle from inside his vehicle.
This incident does not appear to be gang-related or retaliatory following recent shootings in Medford and Central Point. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about the incident can call the JCSO tip line at (541) 774-8333.
Case #17-24570