Raid near Murphy nets federal fugitive, meth, cash, guns and bomb - Gate House

Mail Tribune (Medford, OR — Wayback)

2016-04-13

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February 06. 2016 10:25AM Raid near Murphy nets federal fugitive, meth, cash, guns and bomb A Grants Pass SWAT team along with a Rogue Area Drug Enforcement team and several other agencies arrested a federal fugitive Thursday who tried to flee on a motorcycle when police moved in to arrest him near Murphy, according a release from Oregon State Police. According to OSP, Royal Kruesi, 41, from Murphy, had 1.5 pounds of crystal meth, $30,000 in cash and three hanguns on his motorcycle when he was arrested. Kruesi remained in the Jackson County Jail Saturday on $15,000 bail for possession of a firearm by a felon and state warrants for ID theft and felon in possession of a restricted weapon. After the arrest, police served a search warrant in the 12000 block of Water Gap Road late Thursday, where they seized methamphetamine, cash, marijuana, heroin, firearms and a "significant explosive device," the release said. Kruesi was arrested on Highway 238 in Josephine County after a short chase of Kruesi's motorcycle and foot pursuit by OSP, police said. Seized from the search warrant and a search of an adjacent residence near Murphy were two ounces of crystal methamphetamine, one ounce of tar heroin, three firearms, including an semi-auto AK 47 rifle, 10 pounds of marijuana, packaging material, scales, a money counter, approximately 10,000 rounds of ammunition and a ballistic vest, the release said. Several other items listed in a 2013 Jackson County burglary report were also found, including a Honda quad, plasma cutter, motorcycle riding gear and sand paddle tires, OSP said. RADE initiated the investigation last year after Kruesi was rumored to be linked to violent encounters and may have used intimidation to propel his methamphetamine distribution organization in Josephine County, OSP Drug Enforcement Section Sergeant Jim Johnson was quoted as saying in the release. Additional crimes against Kruesi will be forwarded to the Josephine County District Attorney's Office and to the United States Attorney's Office for review. The investigation is continuing and additional arrests are anticipated, the release said. Anyone with information regarding suspicious drug activity is encouraged to call the RADE tip line at 541-955-6970. http://www.mailtribune.com/article/20160206/NEWS/160209726 © 2016 Copyright © 1995-2011 Crain Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Use Privacy Statement -->