Surveillance images capture burglars in the act
Multiple law enforcement agencies including Eugene Police are tracking an alleged burglary ring targeting residential safes, cash, jewelry, and high-end handbags.
- Eugene police are investigating a string of burglaries targeting Asian American homes and businesses.
- The burglars are believed to be part of an organized ring targeting affluent community members, often stealing safes and valuables.
- The crimes appear to be well-planned, with suspects researching victims and burglarizing homes while residents are away.
The Eugene Police Department says it’s investigating a slew of new reports that Asian American community members are being victimized by a burglary ring targeting their homes and businesses.
The burglaries have been an ongoing problem for Asian-Americans in Eugene and Springfield, several of whom reported in 2024 that their homes were burglarized and their belongings, including safes containing cash, heirloom jewelry, Social Security documents, handbags and other personal items, were stolen.
The first case was reported to EPD occurred earlier this month in the Laurel Hill area and two additional incidents were reported on Aug. 28 in the North River Road area, according to police officials. While an investigation is ongoing and few details about the burglaries have been shared publicly, investigators are continuing to monitor the situation closely and collaborate with community partners and affected individuals, EPD said in a news release.
The Asian American Council of Oregon, which has hosted community events to raise awareness about the burglaries, said its members are in touch with victims and the organization looks forward to collaborating with local law enforcement to ensure the safety of residents. They also encouraged all Asian American and Pacific Islander residents who have been victimized to report all crimes to local law enforcement as soon as possible.
The Council plans to host another Public Safety Forum on Oct. 23. The council’s first forum was Jan. 16 at The Trauma Healing Project in Eugene in partnership with The Eugene Springfield NAACP. There, local law enforcement officials spoke with and heard from the community regarding burglaries that had targeted 13 households in Eugene and at least four in Springfield in 2024. EPD officials said then that the suspects linked to those crimes are believed to have fled the country.
‘A well-calculated, well-researched and well-intentional set of crimes’
The highly organized burglary ring is targeting and racially profiling “affluent” members of the Asian American community in Eugene, in Oregon and across the U.S.
“They target business owners and other professionals they believe may keep valuables and cash at home,” the EPD said in the news release. “The burglars have stolen safes and appear to have screened/surveilled their potential victims, then broken into the homes while the victims are at work.”
During the public safety forum in January, Eugene Police Chief Chris Skinner said one of the commonalities the department has seen here and nationwide is the significant amount of research, effort, and planning that goes into these burglaries.
“This is not a smash-and-grab crime of opportunity we see. This is a well-calculated, well-researched, and well-intentional set of crimes that have occurred,” Skinner said.
In 2024, the burglaries were alarming enough in Oregon that members of the Asian American community in Eugene sent a letter to state and local officials demanding action. At the time, residents said they felt like local police departments were not effectively dedicating resources to investigating the issue and supporting crime victims.
Protecting Eugene community members
According to The Asian American Council of Oregon, community members can protect themselves by:
- Being conscious of what you post on social media. Don’t post publicly about an out-of-town vacation or valuables that you keep at your home. Consider restricting the audience for social media posts to friends and family.
- Protect your home. Consider Ring doorbell cameras, security cameras, security signs, automatic security lighting, secure door and window locks, and other home security measures. If you store valuables at home, use a safe large enough that someone cannot carry them off. Dogs are also a great way to deter criminals.
- Neighborhood associations. Get to know your neighbors and let each other know when something looks out of the ordinary. Report suspicious activity.
- Keep your home address private, particularly if you’re a business owner or public figure. There are services that you can use to have your home address kept private on the internet.
The Eugene Police Department Community Team offered additional tips:
- Lock all windows and doors. Use deadbolts on doors that have them.
- Install surveillance cameras that will notify you of criminal activity.
- Use timers on TVs and lights while away.
- Close blinds when away from home and leave exterior lights on at night.
- Make the home appear occupied when away or arrange to have someone stay at your house while gone.
- Don’t store large amounts of cash at home. Some criminals have been known to work together and steal large safes. If you have a safe, ensure it is mounted properly and securely.
- Be aware of suspicious people or vehicles around your neighborhood or at your place of business.
- Schedule a free Home Vacation Check while away.
- Schedule a Home Safety Assessment with the Eugene Police Department’s Community Engagement Team at https://www.eugene-or.gov/944/Community-Engagement-Team.
Haleigh Kochanski is a breaking news and public safety reporter for The Register-Guard. You may reach her at HKochanski@registerguard.com.
