On October 6, a home in the Bethel area of Eugene belonging to Asian community members was burglarized during the daytime while occupants were working at their Eugene business. Eugene Police have been dedicating substantial, ongoing resources to investigating similar crimes that appear to be the work of a group of foreign nationals.

The investigation revealed a brief video that captured a person posing to be a pizza delivery driver shortly before all cameras malfunctioned simultaneously.

Investigators were led to a local pizzeria that happened to be near the victim’s place of business. Additional footage was located that showed the suspect and the possible involved vehicle. Detectives uploaded the vehicle into the ALPR system and found it had travelled in the area of the burglary on the day the crime took place.

With sustained investigative effort, detectives began searching for the vehicle. The system revealed hits on the vehicle in Eugene. Combining a great deal of hard work and some luck, detectives were able to eventually locate the suspect vehicle in the afternoon of October 8 in south Eugene.

EPD detectives watched the vehicle and the following day, October 9, detectives followed it north to several other cities including Corvallis, Salem, and Keizer where it was joined by two other vehicles.

ALPR access from multiple jurisdictions was crucial in confirming the presence and locations of the suspect vehicles at various times that day.

While maintaining observation of the vehicles and suspects, one vehicle was believed to have committed a residential burglary in west Salem. EPD detectives aided Salem Police with the initial investigation and the two agencies worked together.

Detectives traced the suspects to the 2400 block of Skyline Boulevard in Eugene and with the assistance of patrol resources, monitored the location until a search warrant could be submitted to a local judge.

The search warrant was granted. and on October 9, Eugene Police SWAT served the search warrant. At the initial announcement of the warrant service, at least seven people fled the residence but were all eventually apprehended. During this, a phone alert went out to the area advising residents to shelter in place.

EPD Investigators and analysis work have confirmed all four known suspect vehicles matched the same timing and path of travel through neighboring states before arriving in Oregon. ALPR technology has been instrumental in identifying these multi-state crime groups.

“In this particular investigation the ALPR technology was a critical investigative tool in providing a turning point to help solve this case,” said Eugene Police Chief Chris Skinner. “This is an example of how this technology can serve victims of crime in a more effective and efficient way. The burglaries affecting Asian business owners and their families throughout Eugene and other Oregon jurisdictions has been a focal point for our police department and we are so pleased that we were able to bring this to a resolution.”

The investigation remains active.

Source: Eugene Police

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