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Showing posts from August, 2025

LPR Technology Aids in Arrest of Eugene Man for Rape

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EUGENE, Ore. - On August 6, 2025, Eugene Police arrested 56-year-old Cory Ellis Hatfield for sexually abusing a teenage girl, with the department’s License Plate Reader (LPR) system playing a key role in his capture.  The investigation began on July 4, 2025, when the victim reported abuse by Hatfield, then 53, occurring over several years. A Eugene Police Violent Crimes detective developed probable cause for Hatfield’s arrest, leveraging the LPR system to gather critical information that ensured a safe apprehension. The operation involved collaboration among the Violent Crimes Unit, Special Investigations Unit, and Street Crimes Unit. Hatfield was taken into custody on Briggs Hill Road following a traffic stop. He was booked into Lane County Jail on charges including four counts of Rape in the Third Degree, two counts of Sex Abuse in the Third Degree, and four counts of Sodomy in the Third Degree. Case 25-10651. Hatfield is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of...

Eugene Man Arrested After Attempted Child Abduction at Skinner Butte Park

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EUGENE, Ore. — A 55-year-old man, Anthony Wayne Reed , was arrested at Skinner Butte Park on August 5, 2025, following a violent altercation and attempted kidnapping of a 19-month-old child, according to the Eugene Police Department.  Officers responded to the park at 248 Cheshire Avenue at 10:11 a.m. after reports of two men fighting and claims of a child being kidnapped. Police found Reed on top of a 74-year-old man, who was at the park with his grandchild. The victim reported that Reed, a stranger, picked up the child and began walking away, claiming he knew the parents and intended to get help for the child. When the victim attempted to intervene, Reed briefly strangled him. Bystanders stepped in to assist, and the child was safely secured. Reed was disorderly and incoherent when contacted by officers.  He was arrested and booked into Lane County Jail on charges including Kidnapping, and Attempt to Commit a Crime - Strangulation, as well as an outstanding warrant for Viola...

Eugene Man Killed in Tragic Highway 228 Crash

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LINN COUNTY, Ore. - A 46-year-old Eugene man, Elijah A. Copeland, was fatally struck by a trailer on Highway 228 near milepost 2 on July 31, 2025, according to the Oregon State Police. The incident occurred at 8:48 p.m. when Copeland, who had exited a red Toyota Tacoma and entered the westbound lane for unknown reasons, was hit by a utility trailer towed by a white Dodge Ram driven by Justin Cane Clark, 39, of Junction City. Copeland was pronounced dead at the scene. Clark and his passenger, Mikala Frances Craigmiles, 38, also of Junction City, were unharmed. The highway was closed for approximately 2.5 hours during the investigation, which was supported by the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, Halsey Fire Department, and the Oregon Department of Transportation. The Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing to investigate the circumstances of the crash. Information from OSP Michael Weber, known for his extensive coverage of crime news in Lane County, continues to prov...

Eugene Police Crack Down on Crime and Traffic Violations on Hwy. 99

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EUGENE, Ore. — On July 29, the Eugene Police Department (EPD), alongside its Housing Support Officers (HSO), Traffic Safety Unit (TSU), and Public Works Right of Way team, conducted a targeted enforcement operation along Hwy. 99 from Barger to Roosevelt.  The initiative addressed ongoing concerns from Bethel residents and businesses about crime and traffic hazards in the area, which has seen multiple fatal pedestrian-vehicle crashes. The operation resulted in approximately 15 arrests for offenses ranging from trespassing to outstanding warrants. One notable arrest involved an individual with an open container who attempted to flee across Hwy. 99 and hide in the Corner Market at Hwy. 99 and Royal Avenue. The team also issued several citations and warnings. The TSU conducted 25 traffic stops, resulting in seven citations, and responded to a traffic crash. The HSOs focused on crimes like trespassing, open container violations, and prohibited camping, while the Right of Way team cleare...

Man Arrested for Kidnapping and Assault in Veneta

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VENETA, Ore. — A 48-year-old Veneta man, Kristian Anthony Villa , was arrested early Saturday morning, August 2, 2025, after allegedly kidnapping and assaulting a person known to him.  Lane County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a report at around 5:30 a.m. in the 24800 block of McCutcheon Road , where Villa reportedly assaulted the victim, forced them into his vehicle, and fled the scene. Deputies located Villa’s vehicle on Territorial Road, conducted a traffic stop, and found the victim still inside. Villa was detained and, following an investigation, was booked into the Lane County Jail on charges of second-degree kidnapping, and fourth-degree assault. Villa is also being held on a probation violation offense.  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 87,900 m...

Two Women Arrested for Arson in Lane County Fires

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Veneta, OR – On August 1, 2025, Lane County Sheriff’s deputies arrested two women in separate arson incidents in Veneta and Springfield.  At around 2 p.m., deputies responded to a fire in a backyard in the  88100 block of 5th Street, Veneta . Fire personnel determined the fire was intentional, with gasoline poured inside the home and ignited in a debris pile outside. A witness saw Shara Maria Brittain , 29, of Veneta, fleeing the scene. Deputies detained Brittain at a nearby business, and she was arrested and charged with Arson in the 1st Degree. At approximately 2:30 p.m., deputies responded to a second incident in the 39100 block of Camp Creek Road, Springfield , where Samantha Dawn Weekly , 34, of Eugene, was reported attempting to set a field ablaze. A witness confronted Weekly, who fled after the witness extinguished the fire. Deputies located and detained Weekly nearby, charging her with Arson in the 1st Degree. The DA did not find enough probable cause to file the arson...

House Fire in North Eugene Contained, No Injuries Reported

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EUGENE, Ore. — Eugene Springfield Fire (ESF) responded to a house fire call in the Santa Clara Fire district of North Eugene on Monday, August 4, just after 3 p.m. The blaze, reported near Maverick Ave. and Scottsdale St. , began with a car burning behind a home and spread to the attic. Firefighters from Ladder 11 conducted an interior attack and searched for occupants, successfully containing the fire to the exterior and attic. No residents were found inside, and no injuries were reported. The incident, which will be investigated by Lane Fire Authority, underscored the value of mutual and automatic aid agreements. At the time, Lane Fire Authority crews were occupied with two separate wildfire incidents, highlighting how these agreements ensure rapid response when local resources are strained. Information from ESF 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 g...