Gas theft troubles neighborhood
Residents along Lorane Highway are checking their gas tanks after a series of gas thefts in the area. Lawnmowers, cars and extra gallon cans have been damaged or taken from the area. And so far, no one has seen anything.
It has caused a serious stir among neighbors who have needed to make costly repairs, preventative improvements and even bought alarm systems. Residents are frustrated because they know they will not be able to have the kind of police coverage that is needed to catch the thieves. Instead, they are working together by keeping an eye out for potential suspects, and putting  up warning signs in their neighborhood.
Falling into the hands of police – literally
In the midst of leaving a scene, police were startled when 21-year-old Aaron Deon Kinsey fell from the attic he had been hiding in to the floor just behind the officers searching for him. They had been called to the Portland home to deal with an intoxicated man who had been threatening relatives. When they arrived, most of the family had left, and Kinsey had barricaded himself upstairs.
The officers turned to leave when Kinsey fell from the ceiling. Surprised or not, they arrested and booked him on assault and harassment charges. Kinsey only received minor injuries from the fall.
Court rules secret recording legal
33-year-old Shane Neff of Cottage Grove has one unique piece of evidence when he goes to trial against a Eugene Police Officer for mistakenly pulling him over. Along with whatever recording the officer has of their interaction, Neff also has his own recording from the same stop. The officer noticed he was recording, and arrested him on illegal recording charges.
However, the Oregon Court of Appeals ruled this week that the recording was not illegal. Because the officer was also recording the conversation, both persons were aware they were being recorded. In most cases, citizens must inform officers if they are recording, but since the officer was on duty and recording himself, it did not matter.
One of two brothers sentenced to 6 1/2 years
20-year-old Nickolas Andrew Friend was sentenced to 6 1/2 years in prison for first-degree burglary, second-degree assault and failing to register as a sex offender. Friend and his older brother David are also considered suspects in the shooting of a Springfield man in July. The brother is still considered a fugitive in the case.
Friend’s sentence was changed due to a plea bargain with the prosecution to dismiss the additional attempted murder and assault with a firearm charge. A federal arrest warrant has been out for his brother David Friend since Aug. 3.