Eugene Police’s Street Crimes Unit, funded by one-time bridge funding, continues to impact local crime. SCU assisted EPD patrol unit in seizing more than $40,000. During an investigation, SCU officers developed suspicion the individuals in this case are involved with interstate drug trafficking. An Albany K9 unit responded and the drug dog hit on the money. The investigation is open and ongoing with involvement by local and federal agencies.
This case is a great example of how SCU is collaborating with patrol and other outside agencies.
A few other notable SCU cases from this week:
Street Crimes received information from EPD’s Property Crimes and Crimes Analysis units that Caden Jay Christman, age 22, of Eugene, had listed a bench grinder from a recent Lane County Sheriff’s Office burglary. Officers set up a buy/bust operation on April 9 at 2:22 p.m., for Christman and once the purchase was completed at his Eugene residence, officers arrested him. As officers were starting to handcuff Christman, he attempted to pull away and one of the officers noticed a bulge in his waistband that turned out to be a loaded handgun.
Christman later consented to a search of his apartment where officers located several other items from the LCSO burglary as well as license plates stolen out of Eugene. The victim from the burglary responded to the scene and retrieved his property. Christman was charged with Possess of Heroin Two Prior Possession of Controlled Substance Convictions, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and Theft in the Second Degree. Case 19-05220
SCU responded to a call at 1:47 p.m. on April 9 that had been holding for a period of time, due to lack of officers for patrol response. The call was suspicious conditions regarding several individuals squatting in a home in the 1800 block of Villard. The individuals were observed taking a vehicle apart that belongs to the primary tenant of the home, who has been away from the home for a time. Officers responded to the location and contacted three females and Martin Lee Nelms, age 39, who had a confirmed warrant for Theft in the First Degree. SCU was able to get ahold of the property manager of the residence, who stated the caller had relinquished his lease and all the people contacted were not allowed to be in the residence. Case 19-05227
Eugene Police Street Crimes Unit
The SCU has been focusing on prolific offenders, who are identified through intelligence-based policing, public tips and other sources. They have been proactively responding across the city to quality of life issues as they arise, using all available resources and partners such as community groups, neighborhood associations and city services.
The unit makes a dynamic difference in a variety of public safety issues including on emerging crimes and neighborhood livability issues. This team creates capacity within the organization to address and solve problems throughout the city of Eugene. SCU is a tangible outcome of the one-time,18-month bridge funding by Eugene City Council that is dedicated to targeting immediate and acute community safety system issues while working toward mission-critical enhancements that need to be addressed through a longer-term and broader community safety initiative. The unit currently consists of a lieutenant, a sergeant and four officers. The team will expand to include another sergeant and four additional officers as staffing allows.