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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Grants Pass church mourns the loss of Sarena Moore ... Surveillance video owners asked to register with police ... Mail Tribune's Pulitzer among attempted burglar's stash ... Grants Pass church mourns the loss of Sarena Moore ... Surveillance video owners asked to register with police ... Mail Tribune's Pulitzer among attempted burglar's stash ... ROBBERY Woman foils Medford car jacking, leading to arrest Comment By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 31, 2015 at 12:44 PM Updated Aug 31, 2015 at 5:32 PM By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 31, 2015 at 12:44 PM Updated Aug 31, 2015 at 5:32 PM » Social News A woman foiled an armed car-jacking Monday in a downtown Medford parking lot by screaming, and witnesses helped police track down and capture the suspect minutes later under a nearby Bear Creek bridge, authorities said. Scott Wayne Chitwood, 44, was armed with a BB gun that looked like a real gun and fled on foot with only the victim's keys during the 9:54 a.m. ordeal at the downtown Medford Post Office lot, police said. It ended moments later when police found Chitwood, with the help of witnesses tracking him as he waded Bear Creek, hiding beneath the Ninth Street footbridge, police said. "There's no question this was going to be a very rare, legitimate car-jacking," Medford police Lt. Mike Budreau said. "It's just bizarre the suspect chose that parking lot. It's always crowded. "The victim choosing to scream to draw attention is usually a risky move, but in this case it was the right one," Budreau said. Chitwood, who is from Josephine County, was taken into custody on a charge of second-degree robbery. He also had two outstanding warrants for failing to appear in court on a drug charge and for contempt of court, Budreau said. Chitwood was lodged in the Jackson County Jail on more than $1 million bail, records show. The victim, a 23-year-old woman, was sitting in her car at the post office parking lot at 325 S. Riverside Ave. when Chitwood allegedly approached her and opened her car door, police said. Chitwood allegedly pointed the BB gun — which police said looked real — at the woman and demanded that she get out of the car. The woman complied, but then she started screaming and the robber fled, followed by as many as three witnesses giving chase, Budreau said. Officers were on the scene within two minutes and secured the area. The black BB gun was recovered in a 12th Street dumpster, and the keys were found in an alley near the post office, Budreau said. Reach reporter Mark Freeman at 541-776-4470 or [email protected] . Follow him at www.twitter.com/MTwriterFreeman . By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 31, 2015 at 12:44 PM Updated Aug 31, 2015 at 5:32 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... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site 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. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501