Man accused of multiple crimes in Grants Pass

Grants Pass, Ore. — A transient accused of breaking into a home while the victim was sleeping is in jail tonight on several charges.

The Grants Pass Department of Public Safety says officers responded to a reported Burglary on April 8^th on the 900 block of N.E. Dewey Drive in Grants Pass.

According to police, a 56-year-old woman said she was sleeping in her room when she heard noises and saw a man in her bedroom. She says the man assaulted her, then fled the home. The woman received minor injuries in the incident.

During the course of the investigation, detectives say they encountered a man and woman who said they were victims of a car break-in at around 4:30 in the morning. They said that after they confronted the suspect, he struck the woman and ran to a nearby black vehicle and fled the scene.

Based on the suspect description, police say they believe it was the same suspect who committed the burglary and assault on N.E. Dewey Drive.

Police say they eventually came across a black 1992 Honda Civic that was illegally parked. The vehicle roughly matched the description in the car break-in incident. After the vehicle was towed, it was determined to be stolen.

Detectives say they identified a suspect, 25-year-old Michael Borges, a transient. He was eventually arrested in connection with the vehicle break-in and harassment incident on N.E. Churchill Drive.

According to police, he was lodged at the Josephine County Jail and charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance and tampering with physical evidence.

On Wednesday, detectives returned to the jail and added even more charges, this time in connection with the home burglary and assault on N.E. Dewey Drive.

Police say the investigation is ongoing. If you have any information regarding these incidents, you’re asked to call Detective Lidey at 541-450-6260.