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Chief Skinner says EPD investigating organized burglaries targeting Asian households; recent DUI arrest under auditor review
Summary
Chief Steve Skinner updated the Police Commission on investigations into multi‑state burglary rings affecting Asian households, said arrests have been made, and confirmed the auditor’s office is reviewing a Jan. 1 DUI arrest involving use of force.
Eugene — At the Jan. 9 Police Commission meeting, Chief Steve Skinner described the Eugene Police Department’s investigative response to a spate of burglaries targeting Asian households and told commissioners the department is cooperating with prosecutors and the auditor’s office on several high‑profile incidents, including a Jan. 1 DUI arrest that has prompted public questions.
Skinner said the department has identified and arrested people connected to an early wave of organized burglaries; investigators tied several arrests to individuals from Colombia and said recent cases reflect a national trend of organized rings targeting wealthy households. “We are heavily involved with lots of intelligence, and we’re feeling really good about our position to eradicate this from the community,” Skinner said.
Commissioners asked whether the earlier wave of arrests included Asian victims; Skinner replied that detectives reported some members of the earlier burglary series involved members of the Asian community and noted that “Asian” covers a broad set of backgrounds. Commissioner Parham had raised community concerns earlier about repeated burglaries of seven Asian households and asked who is assigned to the investigations; Skinner said detectives are actively working these cases.
On the Jan. 1 DUI arrest that generated public attention, Skinner told the commission that Eugene has substantial body‑worn video and that the incident is within the auditor’s review process. “That individual, Mister McWilliams, has a due process right,” Skinner said, adding that the auditor’s office is reviewing whether policy violations occurred and that any issues would be addressed through the established accountability system.
Skinner also reported staffing and recruitment updates: he said the department is “getting ready to go to graduation next Friday at the Police Academy for nine new police officers” and has additional recruits entering the pre‑academy; the department is also actively recruiting dispatchers. Councilor Yates told the commission that the City closed applications for the police auditor role and received roughly 28 applicants meeting minimum qualifications; councilors will score applicants in the coming days.
Why it matters: The burglary series and the high‑visibility DUI arrest both touch on community safety and police accountability. The auditor’s review and prosecutor decisions will shape public answers about use‑of‑force and charging choices; separate detective work is ongoing in the organized‑crime burglary cases.
What’s next: Williams and Skinner said investigation and intelligence work continues on the burglaries; the auditor’s office is examining the Jan. 1 arrest and will determine whether policy violations occurred.
