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Man eludes cops in chase Pursuit led Medford police to Jacksonville neighborhood By Joanna Collins Blue-and-white cruisers invaded the quiet town of Jacksonville on Tuesday as police looked for a 20-year-old man who eluded officers in a car chase that began in Medford. The man police say was driving, Derek Atterberry, was still on the loose late Tuesday. The chase began on Riverside Avenue near Manzanita Street. Medford police officers were led to Jacksonville by way of Sage Road, Rossanley Drive and Highway 238. The chase ended at a dead end on South Fifth Street in Jacksonville, where police say Atterberry ran from the vehicle into the forest. A passenger in the vehicle also attempted to run but was apprehended by Medford Police Officer Brian Hall. The passenger was released after questioning. Instead of chasing after the driver, Chief Eric Mellgren said, police surrounded the wooded area to protect homeowners. The two-hour search began a short while later, after additional units from Medford, the sheriff�s department and Jacksonville arrived. Using a Medford K-9 unit, Sgt. Tom McCleary said, police found sandals and sunglasses dropped by the suspect. But the dog lost the scent near the old Jacksonville dump about a mile from the car. Atterberry, who lives in the Medford area, is wanted on a felony warrant for a probation violation from an earlier conviction. New charges stemming from the chase include attempting to elude an officer, driving while revoked and first-degree forgery. The 1999 Ford Escort Atterberry drove belongs to Atterberry�s girlfriend and had falsified temporary tags, McCleary said. A search of the car revealed a marijuana pipe. Police are investigating to see if a stereo and speakers also found in the car are stolen. Officer Hall said he saw the suspect come out of what he called "a dope house" and began following him. The chase began around 1:15 p.m. when Hall attempted to pull the vehicle over on Riverside Avenue for an illegal lane change. Police say Atterberry is 5-feet-10-inches tall, 135 pounds, with brown eyes and brown hair shaved at the sides. He has a scar on his abdomen and numerous tattoos. He was last seen wearing a white T-shirt and Levi pants without shoes. Anyone with information concerning Atterberry�s whereabouts is asked to call the Medford police at 774-2250. Obituaries | Sports | Business | Classifieds | Tempo | Prime Times | So Oregon Sites | Outdoor Journal | Subscribe | Contact | Movies | Advertise | Real Estate Showcase | Archive | Editorials | Letters to the editor | Religion | Wake-up Call | NIE | Cyber Chef | Job Network | So Oregon Weather | WSJ Northwest | Forums | AP Wire | AP Money | F.A.Q. | Awards Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. The Community Newspaper Subsidiary of Dow Jones & Co, Inc Copyright �The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA