Josephine Co. Sheriff's Office

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News Release

Merlin Road - First Degree Robbery & Assault - 09/30/25

RELEASE DATE: 09/30/2025

INCICENT: Robbery and Assault in the First Degree

INCIDENT NUMBER: 25-23316 
INCIDENT DATE AND TIME: 09/30/2025 at approximately 8:40am
REPORTING DEPUTY:  Sergeant Craig Ricker  
ARRESTEE: Mark Warren Whidden (72 years old)


CHARGES: 
Robbery in the First Degree
Assault in the First Degree (x2)
Unlawful Use of a Weapon (knife)
Menacing 


DETAILS:  
On Tuesday 09/30/2025 at approximately 8:40am, Deputies from the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office responded to a robbery in progress at Dollar General located at 3625 Merlin Road.  


Deputies quickly arrived to the area, located and took the subject into custody without further incident. This was due to the detailed descriptions provided by the victims and witnesses on scene.  


During the investigation, it was discovered Mark Whidden approached the counter and advised the employee he was going to “rob them”.  Whidden then threw a cup full of a chemical, later identified as muriatic acid, on two store employees causing severe chemical burns. Both employees stated they attempted to flee from Whidden to a nearby store restroom to decontaminate from the chemical 
exposure.

 

At this point, Whidden cornered the employees with a knife and attempted to assault them both with the weapon. When Deputies took Whidden into custody he was found to be in possession of the muriatic acid and the knife used. 


Oregon State Police, AMR, and Rural Metro all responded to the scene and assisted in the investigation. Both victims were transported to an area hospital to be treated for chemical burns related to their exposure. 


Mark Whidden was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the charges listed above.  


This is still an active investigation and no further details are being released at this time. 

Merlin Road - First Degree Robbery & Assault - 09/30/25

RELEASE DATE: 09/30/2025

INCICENT: Robbery and Assault in the First Degree

INCIDENT NUMBER: 25-23316 
INCIDENT DATE AND TIME: 09/30/2025 at approximately 8:40am
REPORTING DEPUTY:  Sergeant Craig Ricker  
ARRESTEE: Mark Warren Whidden (72 years old)


CHARGES: 
Robbery in the First Degree
Assault in the First Degree (x2)
Unlawful Use of a Weapon (knife)
Menacing 


DETAILS:  
On Tuesday 09/30/2025 at approximately 8:40am, Deputies from the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office responded to a robbery in progress at Dollar General located at 3625 Merlin Road.  


Deputies quickly arrived to the area, located and took the subject into custody without further incident. This was due to the detailed descriptions provided by the victims and witnesses on scene.  


During the investigation, it was discovered Mark Whidden approached the counter and advised the employee he was going to “rob them”.  Whidden then threw a cup full of a chemical, later identified as muriatic acid, on two store employees causing severe chemical burns. Both employees stated they attempted to flee from Whidden to a nearby store restroom to decontaminate from the chemical 
exposure.

 

At this point, Whidden cornered the employees with a knife and attempted to assault them both with the weapon. When Deputies took Whidden into custody he was found to be in possession of the muriatic acid and the knife used. 


Oregon State Police, AMR, and Rural Metro all responded to the scene and assisted in the investigation. Both victims were transported to an area hospital to be treated for chemical burns related to their exposure. 


Mark Whidden was lodged at the Josephine County Jail on the charges listed above.  


This is still an active investigation and no further details are being released at this time.