On May 21, 2023, at about 0011 hours, Grants Pass Police Department officers responded to an armed robbery at the Lucky Duck on Redwood Avenue. A male suspect brandished a firearm while demanding money from the business employee. The suspect fled from the scene in a vehicle driven by another person. We are not disclosing the sum of money stolen other than it was a felony level theft.
The investigation was worked further by Grants Pass Police Department detectives. The focus of the investigative team was to identify and locate the suspects.
Two days later, on May 22 at 2324 hours, a second armed robbery occurred at the Lucky Duck on NW 6th Street. The same suspect entered the store and demanded money from the business employee at gunpoint. This time, a second male suspect stood at the doorway during the robbery. Both males fled in a black GMC Yukon driven by a third person. Again, the sum of money stolen is not being released.
Grants Pass Police Detectives continued their efforts to identify the suspects as there was a clear danger to others. With the help of business owners sharing video footage, police detectives were able to determine the path of travel after the crime. Police personnel used extensive technological means to obtain further details about the suspect car to help identify it.
Early in the morning of May 24, 2024, a Grants Pass Police K-9 officer located the suspect Yukon in the area of West Park. With the vehicle in our custody, further investigation into the suspects continued. The team working the case included Grants Pass Police Department detectives, Oregon State Police (OSP) detectives, Rogue Area Drug Enforcement (RADE) detectives, Josephine County District Attorney’s Office, and Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) detectives.
The investigation led to a search warrant service in the 1400 block of SW David Drive. The warrant was served by the Grants Pass Police Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) because of the nature of the criminal charges. Grants Pass Police negotiators, Grants Pass 911 Dispatch, Grants Pass Fire/Rescue, American Medical Response, and Options of Southern Oregon assisted at the scene.
Michael Smith, 28-years of age, and Stephen Newell, 45-years of age, both of Grants Pass were lodged at the Josephine County Jail. The charge for Smith is Robbery in the First Degree. Newell was lodged for Robbery in the First Degree (x2), Theft in the First Degree (x2), Unlawful use of a Weapon (x2), and Menacing (x2). Seryne Martin, 24-years of age, was lodged for Tampering with Evidence. Additional charges may follow.
We are appreciative of the assistance from our law enforcement partners and the members of the public who helped resolve this case in a safe manner. Anyone with information on these two cases is asked to contact Grants Pass Police detectives at 541-450-6260.
