On October 22, 2017, police received information from a store clerk at the Buy 2 market on W. 11th Avenue that he had been robbed at gunpoint. Police responded with a significant amount of resources and personnel, searching for the suspect and investigating the crime. Due to the nature of the crime, notifications were made to the Oregon State Police, Springfield Police Department, and Lane County Sheriff's Office to be on the lookout for the armed robbery suspect. No suspect was located and the case was forwarded to detectives. After a lengthy investigation, it was determined that there was no merit to the alleged robbery. After further investigation, it was found that the suspect, Justin James Linn, age 25, of Eugene, initiated a false report after having stolen cash from the Buy 2 market. He was arrested on October 26 and transported to the Lane County Jail for Initiating A False Report.
Initiating a False Report is a Misdemeanor crime in violation of ORS 162.375. One section of the law indicates that any person convicted under the law has the requirement to repay the costs incurred in responding to and investigating the false report.
Detectives are currently working with Finance to determine the total cost for the involved personnel, which included the calltaker, dispatcher, officers and investigators, as well as the cost required for the vehicles involved in the investigation.