Creswell man convicted of attempted murder
CRESWELL – A Lane County Sheriff’s deputy assigned to Creswell responded to a dispute on the evening of April 25, 2022 in the 700-block of North Mill Street, and upon arrival found a male subject “covered in a tarp with a cord tied tightly around his neck,” according to a news release. The deputy quickly cut the cord from around the victim’s neck and called for an ambulance. Detectives responded to investigate and determined Steven Daniel Wages, 59, was responsible for the injuries to the victim. Wages was located the next day almost four hours away in Brookings, Ore. He was arrested after a short vehicle pursuit by Brookings Police officers.
Wages was found guilty on two counts of Assault in the First Degree and one count of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree on Jan. 25, 2024.
On March 25, Wages was sentenced to 230 months in the Oregon Department of Corrections. Considering the particular brutality of this crime and the lengthy criminal history of Wages, the judge denied Wages the possibility of early parole or early release through programs.
Over $2K in stolen goods recovered
SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Police on April 2 tracked down a Eugene man who had been seen stealing from area retail shops in Springfield, Cottage Grove, and Eugene.
Shortly before 8 p.m., SPD responded to a report of theft from the Gateway Target.
Matthew Harway, 56, of Eugene, had been seen departing from the store earlier that day with over $500 worth of electronics and small appliances.
The officer, who is a member of SPD’s Crime Reduction Unit (CRU), recognized Harway from a previous retail theft operation. The officer worked with another member of CRU to locate Harway at a Eugene address.
Upon entry into Harway’s home, police said they found a substantial amount of stolen goods, with an estimated value of over $2,000, from multiple retail locations in Eugene and Cottage Grove.
Police said Harway admitted to the thefts and also had outstanding warrants from both Lane and Marion counties. The stolen retail items were returned to the businesses and Harway was charged with Theft II, then lodged at the Lane County Jail for his outstanding warrants.
Officer recovers nine generators
A Springfield Police officer recovered three generators in January that had been stolen from Union Pacific Railroad crossings in the area of Jasper Road.
These generators were in place to power crossings that would otherwise be disabled during that month’s ice storm. The same officer later discovered the fourth stolen generator after receiving information implicating a suspect from the initial theft. The officer was able to locate the suspect, 39-year-old Douglas Schley of Springfield, who was charged with Theft I.
In March, the same officer was contacted by the owner of a local pawn shop. The owner advised that Union Pacific had been in contact to notify him that a generator in his possession had been stolen. The owner worked with the officer to provide information on the individual who had pawned the generator, but the individual had utilized an out-of-state license and had no local address listed.
Later that month, the officer was patrolling the Glenwood area when they observed a male open the rear of his vehicle revealing three new generators matching the model and markings of the previously pawned generator. The officer contacted the male, 63-year-old Richard Munz of Colorado, and observed that the generators all bore the same ‘UPRR’ writing on them that matched the generators recovered in January. Munz was arrested for Theft I and lodged at the Lane County Jail.
The officer worked with Union Pacific to identify the location from which the generators had been stolen, recovering video surveillance footage that clearly showed Munz breaking into a secure facility to steal the generators and several other items that were recovered at the time of his arrest.
In sum, nearly $18,000 worth of equipment was returned to Union Pacific Railroad thanks to the efforts of the officer and other SPD personnel.
Grove man arrested for menacing
COTTAGE GROVE – Cottage Grove Police Department officers were dispatched to 935 Kristen Way for a report of a disturbance and threat to the residents inside. Upon arrival, officers were able to determine that two family members were able to leave the residence after being threatened by Sean P. Robare. The officers determined there was probable cause to arrest Robare for Menacing. Officers also discovered Robare had warrants for his arrest for similar incidents and there was a valid judgment order stipulating that Robare not have contact with the family members at the residence. Officers further determined that Robare was now alone inside the residence. Members of the Oregon State Police and the Lane County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene to assist the CGPD. Officers attempted to communicate with Robare from outside the residence and he eventually came outside and was taken into custody without incident. He was later transported to the Lane County Jail where he was booked and lodged for listed charges.
The investigation into this incident is ongoing.
SAFETY TIP
Entering the spring and summer seasons, it is important to be safe in the water! Some tips to stay safe when enjoying aquatic activities:
■ Bring a friend or family member with you during aquatic activities. It’s even better if they are certified in CPR. You never know when you may need help if something goes wrong!
■ Always wear a life jacket in moving waters. Even the strongest swimmers can struggle in a strong water current.
■ Be aware of your surroundings when you are swimming.
■ Pay attention to obstructions in bodies of water.
■ Take professional swim lessons ahead of time if you are not a competent swimmer.
– Sgt. Alex Speldrich, LCSO
