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43 °F Forecast | Road Cams Sunday, April 3, 2005 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Health Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Real Estate Guide Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley SHOP OUR VALLEY AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Classified Place an ad TOP JOBS EXTRA Ashland News NIE Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People Volunteer Moving here? eSouthernOregon CUSTOMER SERVICE FAQ's Advertise with us Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend April 2, 2005 Applegate robbery, kidnapping suspect surrenders By JACK MORAN Mail Tribune A man sought in connection with the kidnapping and robbery of an Applegate gun collector surrendered Friday and is now behind bars at the Jackson County Jail. Thomas Eddie Larson, 36, of Medford, turned himself in at the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department at about noon Friday, police said. Larson was indicted Thursday by a grand jury on felony charges of first-degree kidnap, second-degree kidnap, first-degree robbery and first-degree theft. A warrant for his arrest was issued later in the day. Larson is suspected of posing as a Pacific Power employee to lure a rural Applegate resident from his home in April 2002. Three other men tied up the victim and led him around his property while armed with shotguns. They stole firearms, knives and military surplus equipment from the retired police officer. The other three men — Kirby Lee Barker, 45, Matthew Steven Phillips, 30, and 26-year-old Jeffrey Truman Shepherd — have all been convicted of kidnapping and robbery charges in connection with the case. Police say Phillips was acquainted with the victim. Advertisement Police on Thursday said they believed Larson might have fled the area while driving a van owned by his employer. The vehicle was reported missing Thursday from a College Way residence shared by Larson and his boss. The van has since been recovered by its owner, police said. Larson apparently spent Thursday and early Friday making arrangements for his surrender with a local attorney and his family, Jackson County sheriff’s Detective Dan Hobbs said. Larson will not face additional charges for taking the van and not promptly turning himself over to authorities, Hobbs said. Larson was being held late Friday in jail on $160,000 bail. The first-degree kidnap and robbery charges are Measure 11 crimes that carry mandatory minimum prison sentences upon conviction. Larson’s prior felony record in Jackson County includes convictions for methamphetamine possession and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Reach reporter Jack Moran at 776-4459, or e-mail [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 Student Loan Consolidation Conference Calls - $50/Month Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker, Trunk, Footlockers home equity loans helzberg Distance Education Diamonds Slippers Student Loans afsa teleconferencing Memory Foam Mattress w2 forms Tatoo Fasa Advertisement s