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Firefighters detain man who allegedly broke into business

Fire crews called 911 after seeing a store had been broken into, but noticed the man leaving the location and detained him after he refused to stop

By Chelsea Deffenbacher
The Register-Guard

EUGENE, Ore. — Eugene-Springfield firefighters detained a man after witnessing the man allegedly breaking glass inside a Willamette Street business.

Just before 2 a.m., fire crews were returning to Station 1 when they heard a loud noise that sounded like glass shattering, according to fire department spokeswoman Rachel Anderson.

Stargate, a spiritual gift shop on Willamette Street and West 13th Avenue directly behind the fire station, had been broken into and a man was still inside, Anderson said.

Fire crews called 911 but noticed the man leaving the location and detained him after he refused to stop. Police arrived soon after and arrested Ian Christopher Finneran, 36, of Eugene, on suspicion of second-degree burglary, first-degree criminal mischief, second-degree criminal mischief, and second-degree disorderly conduct. The business suffered extensive damage, as did a vehicle parked outside.

“Firefighters have a heightened awareness for safety and protecting community members, they felt in this situation they needed to act quickly and they did so,” Anderson later added. “Although I will note we don’t encourage our crews to get involved in matters such as this one.”

Copyright 2018 The Register-Guard

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