Chronic Elude Suspect Arrested; Search Warrants Reveal Loaded Firearm, Large Quantities Fentanyl, Heroin, Meth, Drug Dealing Supplies (Photo) - 09/29/26

JCSO Case 26-4161, CPPD Case 26-5423

JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. - A drug dealer is in jail after multiple attempted eludes throughout Jackson County. The suspect, Ismael Garcia-Nava Jr., 32, of Medford, is lodged in the Jackson County Jail after crashing on September 19 while attempting to elude Central Point Police Department (CPPD). Garcia-Nava was originally arrested August 12 after crashing during an attempted elude with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO). Due to jail overcrowding he was force released on August 22 before a search uncovered the drugs and firearm in his vehicle.

Multiple search warrants revealed more than 100g of fentanyl, nearly 400g of heroin, 28g of methamphetamines, scales, packaging material, and a loaded firearm. Garcia-Nava’s charges include unlawful possession, manufacture, and delivery of controlled substances, felon in possession of a firearm, multiple counts of elude, and reckless driving.

On August 12, JCSO deputies attempted a traffic stop on a vehicle for speeding. The vehicle eluded into an industrial area, where the deputy lost sight of it. Medford Police Department (MPD) officers located the vehicle and it continued to elude, ultimately crashing on Elk Street in Medford.

MPD assisted JCSO in establishing a perimeter and deploying a drone. The driver, Garcia-Nava, was spotted fleeing on foot and jumping fences within the perimeter and taken into custody without further incident. Garcia-Nava was found to have an active warrant for an unlawful delivery of heroin parole violation. He was lodged at jail and his vehicle was taken under a seizure warrant for further investigation.

On August 23, JCSO deputies executed a search warrant on the suspect’s vehicle and located 41g of fentanyl, 26g of methamphetamine, 93g of marijuana, packaging, a digital scale, and a loaded semi-automatic handgun. JCSO filed the additional charges and entered a warrant for Garcia-Nava’s arrest.

On September 19, Garcia-Nava attempted to elude a CPPD traffic stop near Hanley Road and West Pine Street in Central Point.  After the pursuit was terminated, Garcia-Nava continued to drive recklessly through heavy traffic before crashing at the corner of North Front Street and Laurel Street. Garcia-Nava continued to elude on foot, discarding a shoulder bag before CPPD arrested him without incident.

On September 24, a search warrant was granted to search the discarded shoulder bag. Upon searching, CPPD officers located 396g of heroin, 64g of fentanyl, and 2.5g of meth as well as a digital scale, and drug packaging.

This case remains open. There is no further information available for release at this time.

###