Creswell, Public Safety & Health

Police on hunt for wanted man with Creswell ties

Pedestrian Jeremy Wilder talks with an officer as he walks his dog during a search for a wanted suspect on Feb. 24. CHRISTOPHER PALANUK/THE CRESWELL CHRONICLE

Local law enforcement agencies have been attempting to locate Randal Jernigan-Wynn, a wanted person. Jernigan-Wynn is also a person of interest in multiple investigations by various local law enforcement jurisdictions.
The Lane County Sheriff’s Office developed information that Jernigan-Wynn was at a residence in the 100 block of North 2nd Street, in Creswell, on Saturday night, Feb. 24 and a search warrant was served at the residence in an attempt to capture him.
The event took place just after the boys’ basketball state playoffs game at Creswell High School and police activity lasted several hours.
Onlookers reported having heard loud bangs and police shouting.
Crystal and Garrett Freshour, who live only a couple of blocks away, were on their way to pick up groceries from Farmlands Market. When they came upon the scene, they realized that they weren’t going to get any farther.
Jeremy Wilder, who was walking his dog at the time, noted that ”they seem tense” and said one of the officers shouted at him.
”Had a cop tell me ‘get out of here’,” Wilder said.
At about 7 p.m., flash bangs and gas were used at the residence to try and extract Jernigan-Wynn from the home.
A call of ”Come out with your hands up” was heard but the search continued.
After hours of searching the home and surrounding area, it was determined that he was not at the home, but evidence indicates he was in the area shortly before the arrival of law enforcement.
The Special Response Team was used to execute the search warrant due to information that Jernigan-Wynn has access to firearms and has threatened to have an armed confrontation with law enforcement.
Lane County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Gregory Rice, a Police Intelligence Operations (PIO) officer, said police followed normal procedure at the scene and that the search for Jernigan-Wynn is ongoing.
”(This is) the safest way to do it for us and the community,” Rice said.
He advised the local community at the time to refrain from entering Creswell’s downtown corridor, stay in their houses and to call 911 if they believed someone was trying to gain access to their home.
Around 8:30, another police vehicle, labeled by one of the officers present as an old K9 unit, arrived on the scene.
Overall, there were at least five vehicles onscene.
The Lane County Sheriff’s Office is requesting the public’s assistance in locating Jernigan-Wynn. If anyone has information about Jernigan-Wynn’s whereabouts they are asked to contact their jurisdictional law enforcement agency or they can call the Sheriff’s Office Tip Line, 541-682-4167. Do not attempt to contact or approach Jernigan-Wynn if he is seen.

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