Deputies say a 37-year-old man threatened a store employee, fled with more than $1,000 in merchandise, and struck a patrol vehicle while attempting to escape.
ARREST DETAILS
Arrested: Wayne Patrick Baker, 37
Incident: Robbery involving a hatchet
Date: November 1, 2026, approximately 6:02 p.m.
Location: Shop Smart, Cave Junction, Oregon
Stolen Merchandise: More than $1,000 in reported value
Arrest Location: Highway 199 near Laurel Road
Charges Referred:
- Robbery I
- Unlawful Use of a Weapon
- Theft I
- Menacing
- Criminal Mischief I
- Resisting Arrest
Investigating Agency: Josephine County Sheriff's Office
Case Number: 26-29994
CAVE JUNCTION, Ore. — A 37-year-old man was arrested Sunday evening after allegedly threatening a store employee with a hatchet and stealing more than $1,000 worth of merchandise from Shop Smart in Cave Junction, according to the Josephine County Sheriff's Office.
Deputies responded to the reported robbery at approximately 6:02 p.m. on November 1 after receiving information that a male suspect riding a bicycle had used a hatchet during the incident.
Investigators identified the suspect as Wayne Patrick Baker, 37, who allegedly threatened the victim multiple times with the hatchet before leaving the business with the stolen merchandise.
Shop Smart in Cave Junction: The Shop Smart grocery store in Cave Junction, Oregon, where Josephine County sheriff's deputies responded to a reported robbery involving a hatchet on November 1, 2026. A 37-year-old suspect was arrested following the incident. Image: Google Maps Street View (file image).
While responding to the robbery, deputies located Baker riding a bicycle along Highway 199 near Laurel Road, in the vicinity of the Lil' Pantry and Sinclair gas station.
Deputies attempted to stop Baker, but he reportedly ignored their commands and continued riding away.
According to the Sheriff's Office, deputies positioned a patrol vehicle alongside a highway guardrail to block Baker's path. As he attempted to maneuver around the vehicle, Baker intentionally struck its front bumper with his bicycle, causing damage.
Deputies subsequently took Baker into custody without further incident.
The Sheriff's Office has referred six charges to the Josephine County District Attorney's Office for review:
Robbery in the First Degree
Unlawful Use of a Weapon
Theft in the First Degree
Menacing
Criminal Mischief in the First Degree
Resisting Arrest
Authorities did not release additional details about the stolen merchandise, whether it was recovered, or whether anyone was injured during the incident.
The Sheriff's Office said no further information was being released at this time.
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