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Police sketch artist helps track down crooks Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell Medford Police Department officer and sketch artist Chuck Steinberg drew this image of a man believed to have killed himself at the old Starlight Drive-in south of Medford. The story had been publicized before without success in identifying the apparent transient. But after another Mail Tribune story with Steinberg's sketch was published, former co-workers of John David Carlson identified him and police were able to verify his identity through his family. Special skill also leads to identification of dead man By JILL BRISKEY In order for Medford police officer and artist Chuck Steinberg to draw a composite sketch, he needs the cooperation of a victim or witness. In April, Steinberg's usual method of operation was drastically altered when the Jackson County Sheriff's Department asked him to help identify an unknown man who hanged himself inside the old Starlight Drive-in theater. Instead of taking notes and working with a witness, Steinberg had to create a drawing from the man's decaying remains and a police photo of his body. "I have never done anything like it before," Steinberg said. "Nobody had any idea who this guy was. It presented a bit of a challenge." Robbery suspect Medford police hope that the latest composite sketch created by officer Chuck Steinberg will lead to the arrest of a robbery suspect. On April 13, an unidentified white man entered the Subway sandwich shop on Crater Lake Avenue. He reportedly demanded money, displayed a knife and ran away after stealing an undisclosed amount of cash. According to information taken from a witness, the suspect stands 6 feet tall and is between 18 and 20 years old. He has dirty blond hair and was wearing a black baseball cap, a black and white flannel shirt and dark pants at the time of the robbery. According to police reports, the man was clean-shaven. Anybody with information about the crime is urged to contact Detective Bill Ford at 774-2230 or 770-4783. Last week, two former co-workers of John David Carlson, 46, recognized the picture Steinberg had drawn and provided information that helped investigators make a positive identification. It's one of more than a dozen cases that Steinberg - a 20-year veteran - has helped to solve in the Rogue Valley by combining his artistic talent with police work. "I've always had a knack for drawing," he said. "This is just a combination of the two. Sometimes it's successful, sometimes it's not." Last year, Steinberg's sketch of a serial rapist led to a tip and later the arrest of Michael Brian Huyck, who pleaded guilty to rape and sex abuse charges after attacking four women in Ashland and Medford. In 1995, another of Steinberg's sketches led to the positive identification of murder suspect Robert James Acremant. In 1997, Acremant was sentenced to death when a jury found him guilty of murdering Roxanne Ellis and Michelle Abdill. In addition to his work with Medford police, Steinberg operates a portrait business out of his home. For a short time, he ran a portrait studio in Jacksonville and then Ashland, sketching pictures of tourists. "It's sort of a hobby, a fun thing to do," he added. "I enjoy what I do." Six years ago, Steinberg decided to merge his two worlds after attending a composite sketch conference for police officers. "It was far more simple than I thought. I always drew faces as a kid, and kept doing it as I grew up," Steinberg said. "There's a system to it, a way it needs to be done." Medford Police Lt. Tim George said Steinberg's ability is a skill he's happy to have in the department. "Chuck's a unique talent and he's got a special gift. We use it to our benefit," George said. "Certain people have special skills and you try to take advantage of that and make them work for your mission, which is the Medford Police Department." Reach reporter Jill Briskey at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.