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CRIME Medford car dealership workers risk lives to help police stop alleged thief Comment By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Follow @@RyanPfeil MailTribune.com By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Follow @@RyanPfeil Posted Feb. 18, 2016 at 11:25 AM Updated Feb 18, 2016 at 12:50 PM By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Follow @@RyanPfeil Posted Feb. 18, 2016 at 11:25 AM Updated Feb 18, 2016 at 12:50 PM » Social News Two Lithia Dodge employees narrowly avoided knife wounds while helping police catch a car theft suspect as he ran through the dealership Wednesday night. Casey Ray Tumey, 27, allegedly slashed at one employee with a folding knife and punched another in the chest while holding it as he scampered through the dealership showroom and parking lot while trying to lose officers hot on his heels. "The detective (in pursuit) said it was like 'Chariots of Fire' running across the parking lot," said Medford police Lt. Mike Budreau. A manager at the dealership declined to comment. Tumey is suspected of stealing a 1993 Honda sedan from an apartment complex in the 3000 block of Sheraton Court, which was reported to police just after midnight Wednesday. At about 5:30 p.m., police said the vehicle owner spotted his car in the parking lot of the Crater Lake Highway Walmart. Tumey reportedly was inside the car. "(The victim) immediately took matters into his own hands and broke out the window," Budreau said. Tumey fled after a brief altercation with the victim. A man and woman who were in the vehicle with Tumey remained on scene and talked to police. Neither was arrested. Evidence found in the car pointed to Tumey as the suspect, police said. A Medford detective spotted Tumey about a half hour later, reportedly loitering in the parking lot of Lithia Dodge about a mile away. Another officer arrived to assist, which is when Tumey ran into the nearby showroom, chased by the detective, police said. Several Lithia employees attempted to block Tumey's escape. Tumey pulled out a knife and allegedly slashed at employee Steve Adams while making threats, police said. The blade sliced through Adams' jacket but he wasn't hurt, police said. Tumey then fled the building and ran toward Highway 62. Police said Lithia employee Colton Marco stopped him from going over the guard rail, but Tumey punched him in the chest, holding the knife in his fist. Police believe the knife was folded closed at that point. "Both of those encounters could have resulted in serious injury or death," Budreau said. Marco backed off, and Tumey ran across Highway 62, narrowly avoiding being struck by vehicles as he ran, police said. Police and additional employees continued their pursuit, which ended in a Rogue Disposal parking lot. Police pulled out a stun gun and were able to take Tumey into custody. Tumey remained Thursday in the Jackson County Jail on charges of attempted first-degree assault, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, menacing and half a dozen warrants, according to jail records. "We are very relieved that no one was seriously hurt in this event, which could have ended up much worse," a Medford police Facebook post said. "And a big 'Thank you' to the Lithia Dodge employees who assisted our detective with the arrest." Reach reporter Ryan Pfeil at 541-776-4468 or [email protected] . Follow him at www.twitter.com/ryanpfeil . By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Follow @@RyanPfeil MailTribune.com By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Follow @@RyanPfeil Posted Feb. 18, 2016 at 11:25 AM Updated Feb 18, 2016 at 12:50 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... 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