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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Other views: Group goes too far with CEO pay cuts ... Pint-sized equines ... Letters to the editor: Oct. 27, 2015 ... Other views: Group goes too far with CEO pay cuts ... Pint-sized equines ... Letters to the editor: Oct. 27, 2015 ... CRIME Medford woman finds alleged truck thief sitting on her couch Comment By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 26, 2015 at 11:53 AM Updated Oct 26, 2015 at 6:14 PM By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 26, 2015 at 11:53 AM Updated Oct 26, 2015 at 6:14 PM » Social News A man who allegedly stole a truck while it was warming up in a west Medford driveway this morning tried to hide from police twice — once on a couch in a stranger's home and then under a tarp in another's backyard — before he was apprehended by police. Medford police said they arrested 32-year-old Travis Penninger at 7:45 a.m. after the department's K9, Barry, led officers to a tarp Penninger had thrown over himself in a backyard in the 1300 block of Winchester Avenue. Lt. Mike Budreau said the stolen truck was reported at about 6:20 a.m. in the 700 block of Dane Drive. Penninger allegedly hopped in the vehicle, a 1986 Datsun pickup, as it warmed up in the driveway. He was spotted less than 10 minutes later by police at the intersection of Newtown Street and Dakota Avenue. Budreau said officers chased the pickup down Mt. Pitt Street to where the street dead-ends. Budreau said Penninger bailed out of the pickup and ran. The truck was undamaged and returned to the owner. About an hour after the crash, a resident at a home in the 1000 block of Chestnut Avenue discovered Penninger sitting on her couch, police said. "She woke up and walked into her living room and saw this male sitting on her couch," Budreau said. "She screamed and he ran out." The woman contacted 911, Budreau said, and officers found Penninger under a tarp in a Winchester Avenue backyard. "Luckily the dog took us right to him," Budreau said. "He pulled the officer, like, literally pulled him, over to the suspect." Penninger remains in the Jackson County Jail on felony charges of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, attempt to elude, first-degree burglary, possession of methamphetamine, and a probation violation for failing to register as a sex offender, according to jail records. Police said stolen vehicle reports typically rise when temperatures drop because of the number of people who leave their vehicles warming up in driveways. "It's just a practice that we really try and discourage," Budreau said. "It really could happen anywhere at anytime, and it has." Reach reporter Ryan Pfeil at 541-776-4468 or [email protected] . Follow him at www.twitter.com/ryanpfeil . By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 26, 2015 at 11:53 AM Updated Oct 26, 2015 at 6:14 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501