Early on July 24, witnesses reported hearing and seeing police cars and K9 units swarming around the intersection of East 15th Avenue and Ferry Street between the hours of midnight and 2 a.m.
In a previous article, the Emerald reported all of this as a result of a few parties. However, after speaking to the Eugene Police Department, it appears that the commotion was created by a series of incidents being reported in the area.
Reports of loud noise and disorderly subjects led to police driving around the area and looking for these incidents. However, no arrests were made.
Other witnesses reported seeing a high-speed chase involving a car and two police cars. A call came in at 12:51 reporting that there had been a Ford Contour stolen on East 14th Avenue that led to the chase. A K-9 unit was called in as they searched for the car and officers were stationed on every corner.
Once the car was sighted, there was a short pursuit that went down East 13th Avenue, southbound on Pearl Street and turned back on East 15th Avenue, closer to Willamette Street. The suspects tried to jump out of the car and continue fleeing on foot.
In this incident, suspects Jesse O’Conner and a minor were arrested. O’Conner was charged with resisting arrest and interfering with a police officer. The minor involved was arrested for interfering with a police officer and possession of marijuana.
As of press time, this case was still under investigation. It is to be determined if they will be charged.
Because of past events, the Eugene Police Department keeps a closer eye on that area.
“It’s not uncommon to have additional units in that area,” said EPD Public Information Coordinator Jenna McCulley. @@http://www.myeugene.org/2011/02/04/telephone-scammers-posing-as-local-police-officers-in-eugene-and-around-the-state/@@”However, the grouping of police was probably coincidental.”