Ashland police: 3 pushed crime up

ASHLAND, Ore. (AP) -- Ashland police say three repeat offenders are mostly to blame for a spike in theft and burglary cases reported in 2011.

The Daily Tidings reports (http://bit.ly/HNz49U) there were 689 cases of theft and burglary in 2011, up from 558 in 2010.

Police Chief Terry Holderness says three low-level offenders account for the bulk of that increase. He says the offenders seem to have learned they will be released quickly after being arrested for low level crimes because of overcrowding at Jackson County Jail. He declined to name the offenders.

To help deal with repeat offenders, Holderness says police are now bundling suspects' cases together and putting suspects before judges.

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Information from: The Ashland Daily Tidings, http://www.dailytidings.com

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