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Rash Of Pillaged Vehicles Reported In Same Neighborhood; Tips Wanted

Eugene Police Department

On Labor Day just shy of 1:00 am, a man reported that his Chevy Tahoe had been ransacked in the 2800 block of Dry Creek Road. At least five other incidents have happened in the same neighborhood, according to Eugene Police.

A responding officer found several other vehicles opened and gone through, with items scattered down the streets near Dry Creek Road and Arrowhead Street.

Credit Google Maps Traffic view
The crimes happened along the 2800 block of Dry Creek Road in an area north of Hwy 569 (Randy Pape Beltline)

Eugene Police are asking anyone else who’s been victimized to call in a report.

Also, there was recovered stolen property and the investigating officer is providing a work cell for anyone wishing to make a report or check into recovering any property found: Officer Trevor Hart, 541-654-1242 or e-mail Trevor.T.Hart@ci.eugene.or.us

Credit Eugene Police Department
The suspect left a pink purse inside one of the raided vehicle, shown above.

Photos have been made available of the suspect, and a pink purse she left in one of the targeted vehicles (which may not have belonged to her, personally).

The suspect is described as a white female, in her early to mid-thirties, with maroon or dark auburn shoulder-length hair (which is drawn up in a ponytail in the surveillance photo). She was seen wearing a sage-green t-shirt with a circular sun design on the front, purple yoga-style pants, and carrying a small backpack-type purse.

The EPD says theft from a vehicle is one of the most common crimes.  In nearly every case, victims left property visible, an enticement for thieves to break in. People are advised to keep valuables out of sight, if not simply left home.

Other tips – don’t park then put something in your vehicle’s trunk before walking away. Anyone seeing you do this can break into your vehicle and access the trunk release. Instead, store the item in your trunk before arriving at your location.

Finally, police say to secure vehicles by rolling up all windows and locking doors.  Even if it’s a hot day, it’s better to air out a toasty car for a few minutes than to discover your property’s been plundered.

Copyright 2018, KLCC.

Brian Bull is an assistant professor of journalism at the University of Oregon, and remains a contributor to the KLCC news department. He began working with KLCC in June 2016.   In his 27+ years as a public media journalist, he's worked at NPR, Twin Cities Public Television, South Dakota Public Broadcasting, Wisconsin Public Radio, and ideastream in Cleveland. His reporting has netted dozens of accolades, including four national Edward R. Murrow Awards (22 regional),  the Ohio Associated Press' Best Reporter Award, Best Radio Reporter from  the Native American Journalists Association, and the PRNDI/NEFE Award for Excellence in Consumer Finance Reporting.
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