Police looking for man after string of car break-ins
McKENZIE BRIDGE — On July 21, police received numerous reports of vehicles being broken into in the McKenzie Bridge area, after a local business owner observed the suspect vehicle driving through the area early in the morning. When he learned of the break-ins, he contacted one of the McKenzie River District deputies.
Deputies determined the owner of the vehicle was Codey Lee Lewis. Coburg Police located the vehicle later that night being driven by Lewis. Lewis was lodged at the Lane County Jail on unrelated warrants. The vehicle was impounded.
On July 22, deputies executed a search warrant on the truck and a large amount of the stolen property was located. Further investigation led to the recovery of more stolen property from an address in McKenzie Bridge. Deputies identified the second suspect as Justin Wayne Arbogast, 40, of Coburg. Anyone with information about his whereabouts can call Dispatch at 541-682-4141. Avoid approaching or contacting him.
Justin Wayne Arbogast, 40, of Coburg is wanted by police. Call Dispatch at 541-682-4141 if you see him. Do not approach him.
Creswell, Springfield men steal beer case, flee
CRESWELL — Early in the morning of Aug. 3, a man entered a business in the 300 block of East Oregon Avenue in Creswell and stole a case of beer. The man got into a vehicle with another man and both attempted to flee. An employee of the business attempted to confront them and was injured by the vehicle.
Deputies identified the driver as Yancin Santiago Rodriguez, 28, of Creswell. Deputies located and arrested him on Aug. 4. Rodriguez was lodged at the Lane County Jail for Robbery in the 1st Degree, Reckless Endangering, and Reckless Driving.
The accomplice was identified as Angel James Moreno, 29, of Springfield. Moreno was arrested on warrants and lodged at the Lane County Jail by another agency on Aug. 7, and a deputy also lodged Moreno on charges of Robbery in the 3rd Degree and Reckless Endangering.
Detectives interrupt vehicle break-in … of their own police car
EUGENE — Early Aug. 13, Lane County Sheriff’s detectives in the River Road area were away from their undercover police vehicle. Another detective, sitting in his car next to the unoccupied vehicle, noticed two people who appeared to be casing cars in the parking lot.
Melissa Marie Jones, 42, produced a key and attempted to open a door of the unoccupied police vehicle while the second subject, Trinidad Robert Perez, Jr., 61, appeared to be acting as a lookout. Both were arrested for Unlawful Entry into a Motor Vehicle and lodged at Lane County Jail. Jones was also arrested on a Fugitive from Justice charge for an out-of-state warrant, and Perez was also charged for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.
Glenwood assault leads to arrest
GLENWOOD — On Aug. 4 at about 4 p.m., Lane County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a reported assault in the 1700 block of Concord Avenue. They discovered a victim had been punched in the head several times with brass knuckles.
Deputies located the suspect, Donovan Ben Patrick Allen, 43, at a property in the 28700 block of Fox Hollow Road. Allen initially refused to cooperate with deputies, who applied for and were granted a search warrant. Allen was then arrested without further incident. Allen was lodged at the Lane County Jail for Assault in the 2nd Degree, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and Menacing.
Police: No foul play in overdose
SPRINGFIELD — On Aug. 15 around 4:50 p.m., Springfield Police arrived at 1920 Olympic St. regarding a possible overdose. Eugene Springfield Fire was on scene prior to officer arrival providing medical attention to the male victim. An associate of the man had called 911 to report that the man was experiencing an overdose. Despite the best efforts of ESF personnel, the man was pronounced dead shortly after 5 p.m. Officers and detectives were able to determine from associates of the victim that he had been using drugs earlier in the day.
A woman at the scene was arrested for unrelated municipal warrants out of Eugene. There is no indication that foul play was a factor in the man’s death.
Smile! You’re on camera at Mt. Pisgah
EUGENE — Lane County Parks added security cameras in the Main Trailhead parking lot at Howard Buford Recreation Area, often known as Mt. Pisgah, to deter theft. The cameras can be monitored by both Lane County Parks staff and partners with Mount Pisgah Arboretum. Lane County Parks used funds from the voter-approved parks levy to install the poles and bring electrical service to the cameras.
“We have been struggling with an increase in vehicle break-ins at our most popular locations,” said Brett Henry, Lane County Parks manager. “These cameras are a first step in improving safety and security at our most-visited parks.”
The cameras provide a detailed view of the parking and allow live monitoring, as well as recordings that can be shared with law enforcement. “The camera system installed by Lane County Parks has already provided useful footage to assist in theft investigations,” said Ilana Jakubowski, Arboretum executive director. Lane County Parks will also install cameras at the North Trailhead parking area once the necessary electrical connections are installed.
Man arrested for DUII after fleeing deputies
DEXTER — On Aug. 7 around noon, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office received three reports of a vehicle driving recklessly, swerving into oncoming traffic, and nearly driving off the road in the Jasper area. A deputy located the vehicle eastbound on Highway 58 and attempted a traffic stop. The driver attempted to elude the deputy for several miles, but eventually stopped in the middle of Highway 58 in the Dexter area.
The driver, Angel Sanchez-Vasquez, 39, of Eugene, appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. A passenger was also in the vehicle. Sanchez-Vasquez was arrested and lodged at the Lane County Jail for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants, Reckless Driving, Reckless Endangering, and Attempt to Elude by Vehicle.
Search & Rescue hard at work
The Lane County Sheriff’s Search & Rescue (SAR) personnel earlier this month provided support for the Waldo 100K Ultramarathon — a challenging 62-mile-loop-type marathon with the course starting at Willamette Pass Ski Area. The event provides SAR volunteers with experience and real-world application of their training. Often, their skills are needed for rescues or to locate lost runners.
On Aug. 3, an injured 72-year-old hiker was reported on the Mt. Fuji Trail located outside of Oakridge. SAR volunteers at Waldo made contact with the patient and provided medical care. Youth SAR also responded from Waldo, and the patient was carried to the trailhead. A friend drove her to further care.
Sahalie Falls is used as a training site for Eugene Mountain Rescue. PHOTO PROVIDED
On Aug. 10, Eugene Mountain Rescue (EMR) held a training at Sahalie Falls located along the McKenzie Pass-Santiam Pass off Highway 126. Volunteers constructed a highline rope system, which is a technique used to traverse between two cliffs. The area is ideal for this type of training. EMR recently conducted a high angle rescue of a hiker at the same location, making the training applicable.
