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66 °F Forecast | Road Cams Wednesday, July 7, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Prime Times Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend June 4, 2004 Central Point man charged in robbery By SARAH LEMON Mail Tribune A Central Point man faces robbery charges for allegedly stealing a friend’s lottery winnings while armed with the victim’s own pocket knife. Jimmie Lee Swift, 28, of the 4200 block of Tioga Way, was arraigned Thursday in Jackson County Circuit Court on charges of first-degree robbery and possession of methamphetamine. If convicted of the robbery charge, Swift would be subject to the state’s mandatory-minimum prison sentence of 7½ years. Swift was arrested Wednesday afternoon after officers stumbled upon an unusual scene near Crater Lake Highway and Cardinal Avenue, said Medford police Lt. Mike Moran. A man — whom police later identified as Leo August Rasch, 24, of Medford — was attempting to threaten Swift with nunchucks as Swift tried to hide in the back of a friend’s car, Moran said. Rasch told officers that Swift and another friend had met up with him earlier in the day at Medford’s Time Out Sports Bar, where he won $631 playing video poker. Rasch gave his two friends a portion of the winnings to gamble with as they pleased, keeping about $400 for himself, Moran said. The men left when Swift asked Rasch to give him a ride to White City. On the way, Rasch stopped the car at a cul-de-sac in the area of Crater Lake Avenue and Delta Waters about 1 p.m. to drop off the men’s other friend, Moran said. Advertisement Rasch took out a 6-inch pocket knife and started cleaning his cuticles, Moran said. Swift asked to borrow the knife to remove a splinter from his finger. When Rasch handed it over, Swift pushed him back against the car seat and pressed the blade to his neck, Moran said. Rasch’s poker winnings fell from his shirt pocket, and Swift scooped up the cash as the two men struggled, Moran said. Swift then ran away. Rasch was not injured, according to police reports. Claiming that "two guys were out to get him," Swift called a female friend who lived nearby for a ride, Moran said. Recognizing the woman as she drove past, Rasch concluded that Swift must be hiding in her car. Rasch followed the woman’s car for several blocks when a police patrol officer came upon the men as Rasch was about to confront Swift. Officers found the stolen money on the ground near the woman’s car and two packages of meth — one opened — in the back seat, Moran said. Swift also was wanted on several warrants stemming from his failure to appear in court on previous drug and theft charges. He remained in the Jackson County Jail Thursday in lieu of $500,000 bail. Reach reporter Sarah Lemon at 776-4487, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times