Posts

Showing posts from February, 2025

Firefighters Battle Blaze at Eugene Insurance Office, Rescue Cat

Image
Eugene, Ore. - Eugene Springfield Fire crews responded to a commercial structure fire in Eugene’s River Road area on the evening of February 10. The fire broke out at an insurance office located in the 900 block of River Road, prompting multiple calls to emergency dispatch at 5:47 PM. According to reports, bystanders noticed flames and broken windows at the business and attempted to contain the fire using portable extinguishers after breaking the glass. Despite their efforts, the fire spread, requiring immediate intervention from emergency personnel. Firefighters from Stations 2 and 11 arrived on the scene within approximately five minutes and were met with heavy flames inside the strip mall building. Crews quickly launched an aggressive attack on the fire, working to contain it to its point of origin while also conducting a thorough search of the premises. During their response, firefighters discovered and rescued a cat from inside the burning building, ensuring its safety. The cause...

Deputies Seek to Identify Man Who Followed Child Near River Road Elementary

Image
Eugene, Ore. - Authorities are working to identify a man who reportedly followed a child walking home from River Road Elementary School on January 28 in Eugene. According to the Lane County Sheriff’s Office, the child noticed an unknown male walking a dog behind them before seeking safety at a nearby neighbor’s house. The man was later seen driving past the residence in a red Chevrolet Malibu sedan. The individual is described as a white male, approximately 40 to 55 years old, 6’3” tall, and weighing around 210 pounds. He was wearing a blue or gray beanie, a tan jacket, blue jeans, and work boots. A photo of the suspect was later obtained from a nearby store. While no crime is believed to have been committed, law enforcement considers the incident concerning and is asking for the public’s help in identifying the man. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Lane County Sheriff’s Office at 541-682-4141 and reference Case #25-0448. Information from LCSO Michael Weber, known for hi...

AirTag Leads Police to Stolen Bicycle, Two Arrested

Image
Eugene, Ore. - Eugene police officers successfully recovered a stolen one-of-a-kind bicycle and arrested two individuals after a tracking device led them to an unoccupied residence on February 7. A 22-year-old Eugene man reported his bicycle stolen after it was taken from his second-floor balcony. When filing his report online, he provided surveillance footage and crucial information—he had placed an AirTag tracker on his bike. The AirTag signaled a location in the 1500 block of Patterson Street , pinpointing the possible whereabouts of the stolen bicycle. Responding swiftly, a Eugene Police Department community service officer followed up on the report, and officers were dispatched to the location. Through the front window of the residence, officers spotted two bicycles, one of which matched the victim’s stolen property. After confirming with the property management company that the home was supposed to be vacant, officers received permission to enter. Inside, they encountered 49-...

Pedestrian Killed in Highway 99 Collision

Image
EUGENE, OR – A tragic crash on Highway 99 left a pedestrian dead on the evening of February 8. Eugene Police Patrol and Major Collision Investigations responded to the scene at 7:25 p.m. after reports of a vehicle-pedestrian collision. Upon arrival, officers immediately began lifesaving efforts, but the pedestrian, a man in his 70s, was pronounced dead at the scene. Initial investigations suggest the man was attempting to cross the northbound lanes of Highway 99 when he was struck by a Chevrolet Tahoe driven by a Eugene man in his 30s. The highway was cleared and reopened to traffic at 1:40 a.m. on February 9. This incident remains under investigation. Case number 25-02210. Information from EPD

Vehicle Fire Causes Minor Delays in West Eugene

Image
EUGENE, Ore. (Feb. 8, 2025) – Emergency crews responded to a vehicle fire just after 3:00 p.m. on February 8th at the intersection of Roosevelt and Seneca in West Eugene. Bethel Engine 8 arrived on scene to find an SUV with a fully involved engine compartment fire. Firefighters quickly went to work, extinguishing the flames and ensuring the fire did not spread further. In the meantime, officers with the Eugene Police Department (EPD) provided traffic control to manage the flow of vehicles through the area. The fire is believed to have been contained to the engine compartment, and no injuries have been reported at this time. However, due to the ongoing investigation and response efforts, ESF Fire Investigators are on site examining the cause of the fire. Motorists in the area should expect minor traffic delays as crews continue to clear the scene. Authorities are urging drivers to use caution and be aware of potential disruptions in the flow of traffic. There has been no word yet on th...

Chlorine Leak Contained at Springfield Water Treatment Facility

Image
SPRINGFIELD, Ore.  – A chlorine leak at the Springfield Utility Board (SUB) water treatment facility was safely contained on February 7th after an emergency response from Eugene Springfield Fire (ESF) and the Eugene Region 2 Hazardous Materials Team. At 2:18 p.m., firefighters were called to the facility located near 28th & M Street for a leaking chlorine tank. The situation prompted a swift response from the specialized Hazardous Materials Team, which is made up of ESF firefighters cross-trained as hazardous materials technicians. Upon arrival, crews discovered the leak was isolated to a valve problem. The issue was quickly addressed, and no threat to the public was identified. ESF teams worked alongside SUB personnel to secure the area and begin the process of replacing the faulty equipment. Crews remain on scene to ensure the safe and proper replacement of the affected components. Fire officials praised the successful outcome, noting that effective planning, robust systems,...

One Injured in Springfield Storage Shed Fire

Image
SPRINGFIELD, Ore. (Feb. 6, 2025) – A fire in an occupied storage building in Springfield left one person seriously injured on Friday morning. The Eugene Springfield Fire Department responded to the blaze in the 5200 block of Daisy Street at 11:18 a.m. Engine 14 arrived on scene just two minutes after dispatch to find a working fire in a storage shed attached to a carport. Firefighters quickly contained the fire, preventing it from spreading to the nearby home. Crews worked swiftly to suppress the flames, securing the surrounding area and minimizing further damage. At the time of the fire, one person was inside the storage building. The individual was transported to a local hospital in serious condition. Their identity and the exact nature of their injuries have not yet been disclosed. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Fire officials are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident. The Eugene Springfield Fire Department urges residents to stay vigilant ...

Coos Bay Man Arrested After Violent Pursuits and Armed Standoff

Image
COOS BAY, Ore. (Feb. 6, 2025) – A 34-year-old Coos Bay man, Deven Lee Dunn , was arrested following a dangerous series of events involving high-speed chases, reckless driving, and an armed standoff with police on February 6. The Coos Bay Police Department (CBPD) had been investigating Dunn after two vehicle pursuits on February 5, during which he fled from officers in a stolen car. The chases were highly dangerous, with Dunn speeding through a school zone and residential areas, running traffic signals, and creating immediate public risks. Officers also learned that Dunn was armed and had threatened to resist arrest. After the second pursuit, the stolen vehicle was found crashed in North Bend, but Dunn was not located. However, investigative leads led police to a residence at 868 8th Terrace, where Dunn was confirmed to be hiding. At approximately 3:15 p.m., CBPD officers served a search warrant at the location, calling for Dunn to surrender. While several individuals voluntarily exite...

Two Arrested in Lane County on Child Exploitation Charges

Image
  EUGENE, Ore.  – Detectives from the Lane County Sheriff’s Office arrested two men on child exploitation charges following separate investigations by the Lane County Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. On February 6, detectives served search warrants at two residences, one in the 100 block of Lea Avenue and another in the 2500 block of Willakenzie Road , Eugene. They arrested 31-year-old Noah Alan Starkey-Gomes on 8 charges of Encouraging Child Sex Abuse in the 1st and 8 charges of 2nd Degree. Starkey-Gomes was taken to the Lane County Jail. In a separate investigation, detectives also served a search warrant at a home in the 1000 block of Cinnamon Avenue , where 42-year-old James Watson Gilbert was arrested. Gilbert faces 11 counts each of Encouraging Child Sex Abuse in the 1st and 2nd Degree. He, too, was lodged at the Lane County Jail. Both cases stem from ongoing investigations into child exploitation and possession of child pornography. Authorities ha...

Two Arrested After Stolen Vehicle Pursuit in Eugene

Image
  Eugene, OR — February 6, 2025 — A stolen vehicle led to two arrests early this morning after a high-risk traffic stop in Eugene. At around 1:30 a.m., a Eugene Police officer responded to a dispatch report of a vehicle stolen from McDonald’s at 55 River Avenue . The officer spotted the white Dodge Ram in the 2400 block of McDougal Lane . As the officer began to turn around to follow the vehicle, it drove past him. After spotting multiple people inside, the officer pursued the truck and followed it to the parking lot of WinCo Foods at 4275 Barger Drive. The officer called for backup and initiated a felony, high-risk stop. The driver, identified as 32-year-old Zachary Lee Neuroth , was arrested and transported to Lane County Jail on charges of Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle, Burglary in the Second Degree, and Theft in the Third Degree. A passenger, 30-year-old Mario Nelson Iraheta , was found to have outstanding warrants and was arrested as well. He was also taken to Lane County Ja...

Man Sentenced to 90 Months for Shooting at Four Corners Intersection

Image
Eugene, OR —   Robert Kirk Lowen-Birtsch , the man involved in a shooting at the Four Corners intersection in December, has been sentenced to 90 months in the Oregon Department of Corrections. He pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including Assault in the First Degree, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and Unlawful Use of a Weapon. The incident unfolded on the night of December 13, 2024, when, at 11:16 p.m., calls came into authorities reporting gunshots in the area of Highway 99 North and Roosevelt Boulevard. Officers responded promptly to the scene, where they found a 29-year-old man who had been shot. He received emergency medical care on-site from Eugene Springfield Fire and was quickly transported to a local hospital for treatment. As the investigation began, Eugene Police, with the help of Lane County Sheriff's Office deputies, started to search for the suspect. Officers deployed K9 units and a drone to assist in the search. Just before 12:30 a.m., a call came in from a res...

Eugene Woman Arrested for Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer in Florida

Image
CITRUS COUNTY, FL – A 59-year-old woman from Eugene, Oregon was arrested Thursday night after a disruptive incident at Norton’s Riverside Bar in Citrus County, Florida. According to the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO), Lori Ann Ogilvie became intoxicated and belligerent, refusing multiple requests to leave the establishment. Click here to read the Citrus County Chronicle's detailed article on this incident. Information from the Citrus County Chronicle Michael Weber, known for his extensive coverage of crime news in Lane County, continues to provide valuable updates to the local community. He runs the largest crime watch group in Lane County,  Lane County Mugshots Uncensored , which currently has over 84,800 members. Support for local journalism is essential, and donations can be made via Venmo to @Michael-Weber-379 (last four digits of phone number: 0825).

Eugene Police Safely Resolve Standoff with Armed Man on Shadow View

Image
EUGENE, OR – A tense situation unfolded on the evening of February 4th when Eugene Police responded to reports of a naked man armed with a handgun, yelling threats from his balcony on Shadow View. Calls to 9-1-1 described the man making threats to harm both others and himself. Eugene Police, along with the Crisis Negotiation Team and Drone Teams, responded swiftly to the scene, with SWAT officers deployed to provide containment and ensure the safety of residents and officers. To further protect the area, Eugene Springfield Fire staged nearby, and Community Service Officers helped block off surrounding intersections. As a precaution, a shelter-in-place alert was sent to nearby residents. At 8:13 p.m., after a few hours of tense negotiations, the man voluntarily surrendered and was transported to a local hospital for mental health treatment. The lead negotiator, handling her first activation as the lead, successfully built rapport with the man, negotiating his peaceful surrender within j...

Eugene Man Arrested After Giving False Name, Found with Meth and Concealed Dagger

Image
EUGENE, OR – A 43-year-old man was arrested on February 4th after officers discovered he had provided a false name during a camping enforcement operation near 221 Division Avenue .  The man, later identified as James Albert Reynolds * , initially told police his name was Markaus John Walker. Officers were unable to verify the name, leading to a warning about potential charges for giving false information to authorities. Despite being admonished, Reynolds then identified himself as "Mark James Reynolds," but further investigation confirmed his true identity. Officers discovered Reynolds had an outstanding arrest warrant for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm and Felon in Possession of a Firearm, case # 21CR46385. During the arrest, Reynolds was found in possession of methamphetamines and a concealed fixed-blade dagger. * [Reynolds has also been known to go by the following aliases: Albie O'Malley, Albie Omalley, J, Albert Reynolds, James Reynolds, J. Albert R.]  Reynolds was...

Lane County Deputies Make Multiple DUI Arrests in a String of Impaired Driving Incidents

Image
  Lane County, OR – February 3, 2025 – Lane County Sheriff's deputies responded to multiple impaired driving incidents in late January and early February, highlighting ongoing concerns about impaired driving and public safety. On January 31, 2025, at 7 a.m., deputies responded to a vehicle off the road in the area of Chambers Street and Crest Drive. They encountered the driver, 22-year-old Omani De La Selva Canan i, who showed signs of impairment. Following further investigation, Canani was arrested for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) and taken to the Lane County Jail. Just a day later, on February 1, 2025, at 10 p.m., deputies were called to a crash involving a tree on Sears Road. The driver, 30-year-old Aroya Dawn Newton-Kemplin , sustained significant injuries and was flown to a nearby hospital by LifeFlight. Deputies determined that Newton-Kemplin was impaired and arrested her for DUI, citing her in lieu of custody. On February 2, 2025, at 6 p.m., deputies responded to a rep...

Drug Bust Near Kalapuya High School Leads to Multiple Arrests

Image
  Eugene, OR – February 3, 2025 – In a series of successful operations, the Eugene Police Street Crimes Unit (SCU) has made multiple arrests, dismantling a local drug operation and seizing significant amounts of narcotics and weapons.  On December 17, 2024, SCU served a drug-related search warrant at the home of 32-year-old Brandon Kyle McKelligett. The search led to the discovery of three firearms, including one confirmed to be stolen. McKelligett, a convicted felon, was also found with digital scales and narcotics packaging material, signaling his involvement in drug distribution. McKelligett faces a slew of charges including three counts of Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Theft by Receiving (firearm), and multiple drug offenses related to fentanyl and methamphetamine, all occurring within 1,000 feet of Kalapuya High School. Additionally, during the investigation, SCU arrested 28-year-old Early Ryan Shorey, an associate of McKelligett, for an outstanding arrest warrant. S...