EPD Crime Analysis Unit reports that over the first three months of 2013 there has been a 33 percent increase in Weapons Offenses, with an 89 percent increase in weapons possessed illegally and a 19 percent increase in weapons being carried concealed.
There have been recent incidents that illustrate this: on Friday May 10 through Saturday, May 11, EPD Officers handled at least three incidents involving firearms, where multiple handguns and a semi-automatic rifle were seized, along with methamphetamine and cash.
One case yielded multiple firearms and arrests: at 2:14 p.m. on May 10, Eugene Police assisted Lane County Parole and Probation in the 800 block of Skipper to make an arrest of Jett Levi Faribault, age 27, on warrants. EPD found a stolen handgun and evidence of narcotics delivery. EPD also found Faribault had a large gun safe and after a search warrant was obtained, found an AR-15-style rifle, a shotgun and currency. Faribault was arrested on Unlawful Delivery of Heroin, Unlawful Possession of Heroin, Unlawful Possession of Cocaine, Theft in the First Degree. Other arrests were made this week.
On May 11, at 2:30 a.m., two EPD officers stopped at vehicle near the 2100 block of Cubit, as the driver seemed intoxicated. The driver was found to be Driving While Suspended and an inventory of the vehicle yielded a concealed and loaded .22 caliber pistol, a set of brass knuckles that have taser prongs on them, and methamphetamine. Two people were arrested:
Ramon Najar, age 24, of Eugene, was arrested and charges include:
• Unlawful Delivery of a Controlled Substance (Meth)
• Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance (Meth)
• Unlawful Possession of a Firearm
• Carry Concealed Weapon
• Driving While Suspended (Misdemeanor)
Ramon Gonzales Moreno Hedras, age 24, of Springfield was arrested and charges include:
• Unlawful Delivery of a Controlled Substance (Meth)
• Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance (Meth)
• Unlawful Possession of a Firearm
• Carry Concealed Weapon
• Possession of a Weapon by Felon (Restricted)
• Unlawful Delivery of a Controlled Substance (schedule III)
• Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance (schedule III)
The third incident was previously sent out over the weekend as a news release:
Jack Edward McDowell (age 30) was arrested at his home at approximately 0322 hours after neighbors reported hearing gunshots from within the home.
Neighbors in the area of 18th and Columbia woke to gunfire early this morning. Neighbors pinpointed the noise as coming from McDowell’s home at 1804 Columbia prompting four 911 calls. The Eugene Police Department responded and called McDowell outside where he was taken into custody. McDowell is a Graduate Teaching Fellow at the University of Oregon. The investigation revealed McDowell was shooting guns into the ceiling of his home. Later this afternoon, investigators seized several firearms and other evidence from inside the residence.
Investigators discovered at least 39 gunshots fired into the ceiling of McDowell’s home. He was lodged at the Lane County Jail on 39 counts of Unlawful Use of a Weapon and Disorderly Conduct 2.
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