EUGENE, Ore. – Eugene police captured a California fugitive last week, authorities say.
The department learned of a suspect tied to an officer-involved shooting who was believed to be targeting law enforcement and stealing firearms.
Garrett Wilson, 39, of Menifee, Califrornia, reportedly broke into the Corning Police Department’s parking lot and stole a short-barreled rifle from a secured police vehicle.
On Jan. 15 just before midnight, a Eugene officer reportedly spotted the suspect’s vehicle driving the wrong way on West 6th Avenue approaching his patrol vehicle. The officer attempted to stop the vehicle, but Wilson reportedly backed away into a McDonald’s parking lot.
Police said the officer got Wilson to stay at the scene while other officers arrived. Wilson was taken into custody and lodged for being a fugitive from justice.
After additional investigation, he was also charged with five counts of first-degree theft, five counts of unlawful possession of a firearm, five counts of possession of a weapon by a felon, two counts of unlawful possession of a short-barreled rifle, one count of obliteration of the identification number of a firearm, two counts of importation of a short-barreled rifle, and unlawful possession of methamphetamine.