On September 9 at 6:47 p.m., a Eugene Police Street Crimes Unit officer with a keen eye for stolen vehicles was patrolling near car camps in the West Eugene area and spotted a Nissan pick-up truck that had been reported stolen from Eugene between September 6 and September 7. The officer followed the vehicle while awaiting additional units and the vehicle pulled into a dead-end road off W. 1st Avenue and Premier Street. The driver and passenger quickly left the truck and attempted to blend in with people living in nearby tents.
Sgt. Rob Griesel and K9 Kuiil and several Property Crimes Unit detectives were monitoring the call and responded to help search for the pair. Officers located the driver, Jayden Lamar Dominic MacKay, age 23, of Eugene, as he was attempting to climb a stack of jersey barriers next to a camp, but then he gave that up and appeared to be trying to blend in with the other people in the area. He was taken into custody without incident and transported to Lane County Jail on charges of Possession Stolen Vehicle and Unauthorized Use Vehicle. He was also charged with Possession Controlled Substance Methamphetamine under case 21-14108.
Officers knew the passenger, Justin Ray Brunk, 28, of Eugene, had three warrants with seven total charges, so he had been immediately detained on those and transported to Lane County Jail.
In the back of the truck, SCU officers located identification and a checkbook belonging to a female who had been a victim of vehicle theft in Junction City.
Case 21-14108
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. SCU 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 eight officers.