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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend September 24, 2005 Suspected bank robber nabbed By CHRIS CONRAD Mail Tribune For the second time this summer, Ashland’s downtown US Bank branch was the scene of an armed robbery. This time, though, police were able to track and arrest the suspect. James A. Esmedina, 42, of Bluffton, Ind., was arrested Friday after crashing his Jeep Cherokee in a blackberry bush in an attempt to elude police, Ashland police said in a news release. The fireworks began at around 2:04 p.m. when Esmedina allegedly walked into the bank, flashed a black, semi-automatic handgun and demanded money, Medford police Sgt. Phil Eastman said. As Esmedina left the bank — making off with an undisclosed amount of money — he was followed by a bank employee, who saw him enter the getaway Jeep. He then sped off westbound on Lithia way, police said. The Jeep was spotted shortly after by Ashland police heading north on Oak Street. Esmedina attempted to outrun police, but only ended up crashing his car into a blackberry bush on Oak Street, near the Bear Creek Bridge. He then fled on foot into a wooded area, police said. Advertisement A perimeter was set up and officers from multiple agencies, including the FBI, arrived at the scene. Police then called in Tiko, a Medford police dog. Tiko entered the wooded area and quickly found the suspect’s scent. The dog led his handler, D.J. Graham, to a bamboo thicket. "It was pretty thick with bamboo and we couldn’t see into the bush," Eastman said. Graham called out three times, demanding that Esmedina surrender. On the third call, the thwarted robber emerged from the bamboo and was taken into custody without incident, Eastman said. Esmedina was lodged in Jackson County Jail on an Indiana robbery warrant. Local charges will follow, police said. Friday’s heist was the latest in a string of daylight hold-ups that has given the Rogue Valley a taste of the Wild West. Ten local banks have been robbed since May 24. For his part, Tiko, will be justly rewarded for his work Friday afternoon. "He gets to eat a cheeseburger," Eastman said. Reach reporting intern Chris Conrad at 776-4471, or e-mail Suspected bank robber nabbed ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Ztech Media Hosting Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Student Loans tcg student loan consolidation Online Pharmacy online casino Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Rogue Valley Travel Reservationstogo Hotel Reservations Southern Oregon Loans Online Casino News Natto Kinase Nattokinase Casino Gambling Sites Budget Website Templates Investments & Loans Advertisement s