Arrests made in early-morning burglary in Central Point; guns, drugs and cash found

Published 11:00 am Thursday, April 25, 2024

A Medford woman and a Central Point man were arrested Wednesday as suspects in an early-morning Central Point burglary, and authorities uncovered firearms, drugs and cash at their residence.

Kelli Margaret Hernandez, 44, of Medford, and Mickey Ray Galatz, 28, of Central Point, were lodged in the Jackson County Jail on various charges.

Hernandez was charged with hindering prosecution and conspiracy to commit second-degree burglary and was released on her own recognizance.

Galatz was charged more than a dozen times in connection to the burglary and was lodged in jail without bail. Galatz was also lodged on a warrant as a fugitive from justice in Klamath County, where he is facing charges of aggravated first-degree theft and first-degree burglary.

Hernandez and Galatz were identified as suspects through an investigation conducted by Jackson County sheriff’s deputies, who responded to a report from dispatch just after 8 a.m. of a burglary in the 5700 block of Upton Road, according to a news release.

Hernandez and Galatz were tracked by authorities to an address in the 100 block of Laurelhurst Street in Central Point, the release said.

Hernandez was found on the property, while Galatz was hiding under a shed, according to the release. Galatz did not initially respond to commands to come out, but did so after sheriff’s deputies deployed pepper spray and a K9, the release said.

Ten firearms, including a stolen pistol, and an AR-style rifle with no serial number; body armor; an illegally manufactured silencer; methamphetamine, heroin and butane honey oil; 35 pounds of processed cannabis; and 58.3 grams of fentanyl and approximately $19,000 were uncovered by Jackson County Sheriff’s Office’s Criminal Investigations Division and Illegal Marijuana Enforcement Team detectives, according to the release.

Court filings and hearing dates for the burglary case were not listed for Galatz and Hernandez Thursday morning. 

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