A California man allegedly stole a vehicle in Medford and was ultimately pursued by multiple law enforcement agencies across three cities before causing a multi-car crash in Ashland and his subsequent arrest Monday evening.
Alfred William Mabrier, 47, a resident of Montague, California, is suspected of stealing his fiancée’s black Honda Civic following a domestic disturbance on West Main Street in Medford, according to a release from the Medford Police Department. Mabrier “fled the scene recklessly, causing multiple hit-and-run accidents,” the release said.
A request for comment from the Medford Police department was not immediately answered. Available court documents include an affidavit for the incident signed by Medford Police Officer Isaiah Griffith. The officer was dispatched to a domestic dispute at 3:27 p.m. Monday.
“(There were) a male and female arguing, followed by the male taking the woman’s purse as she yelled ‘Stop, call 911!’” the affidavit said.
Mabrier’s fiancée was reportedly driving him to an appointment with his parole officer when he began “repeatedly kicking” her during an argument, the victim told the officer. The victim displayed swelling and had difficulty walking while speaking to the officer, the affidavit said.
While walking into a building for the parole officer appointment, Mabrier demanded his fiancée’s keys. When she refused — because he had crashed her vehicles in the past — he took her purse and, after inflicting additional injuries, drove away in her car “at a high rate of speed” going the wrong way on the one-way of West Main Street, the affidavit said.
Jackson County Sheriff’s Office dispatch put out a call for a request to locate a vehicle responsible for multiple hit-and-run incidents as it drove recklessly in the area between Medford and Phoenix Monday evening, said JCSO Lieutenant Jesse Ainsworth, reached by phone Tuesday. A JCSO deputy located the vehicle around the 4800 block of South Pacific Highway, he said.
“The suspect was running on three tires, the front right tire was down. … He was going 60 to 80 miles per hour,” Ainsworth said.
The JCSO policy for vehicle pursuits is to be cautious and continually evaluate conditions, particularly proximity of pedestrians and traffic, he added.
The pursuing deputy determined traffic was light in the area and that speeds were not excessive for pursuit until reaching the Valley View Road area outside Ashland. The deputy then called off the pursuit. Mabrier allegedly rear-ended another vehicle at a lower speed, then continued driving into Ashland, Ainsworth said.
If a deputy determines a pursuit has become unsafe, they can radio ahead to other law enforcement agencies and prepare alternative means to apprehend the suspect while attempting to keep them in sight without a chase, JCSO Public Information Officer Aaron Lewis said.
A crash ended the vehicle chase at the intersection of Main and Maple streets in Ashland. Ashland Fire & Rescue officials confirmed Monday evening that three vehicles were involved and that two people were transported to the hospital, as previously reported by Ashland.news. Ashland Police Chief Tighe O’Meara said Ashland Police officers responded only as an assisting agency.
“It was chaotic,” Ainsworth said.
Information about the other person injured in the crash was not available.
After the accident, Mabrier exited the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot. He did not respond to commands to stop and was “making furtive movements with his hands,” Ainsworth said. Police apprehended him after deploying a stun gun.
“He wasn’t wearing his seat belt, so in the accident he struck his head on the windshield. … We didn’t know initially how serious the injuries were,” Ainsworth said.
Mabrier was transported to the hospital, where he was issued additional cite and release charges from JCSO — including eluding, resisting arrest, two felony charges of hit and run, reckless driving and recklessly endangering, according to the release. By issuing charges as “cite and release” deputies were able to leave the suspect in the custody of Medford Police Department officers, who waited at the hospital until Mabrier was medically cleared, Ainsworth said.
Mabrier is lodged at the Jackson County Jail, where he is being held without bail, according to the Jackson County Jail roster.
Numerous charges are listed in court records, including a felony charge of first-degree robbery, unauthorized use of a vehicle, first-degree theft, six charges of fourth-degree assault, three counts of harassment, two counts of recklessly endangering another person, failure to perform duties of driver-property damage, two counts of reckless driving, second-degree disorderly conduct, a felony charge of fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, a felony charge of failure to perform duties of driver to injured persons, two counts of failure to perform duties of driver-property damage and resisting arrest.
Oregon court records show one prior incident in the state for Mabrier. In July 2021, he was arrested and charged with second-degree assault, menacing, first-degree burglary, second-degree disorderly conduct and harassment during an incident on West Valley View Road, according to court records. He pleaded guilty and was convicted of second-degree assault in June 2022. He was ordered to pay fines and restitution of $1,733.83 and sentenced to a 50-month prison sentence followed by an additional three years of supervision with a parole officer, according to court records.
