Eugene, Springfield K-9 teams assist in Skinner Butte arrest

K-9 Sgt. Rob Griesel with Kuill, K-9 Officer Owen Griffith with Cwyk, and a Springfield Police K-9 team converged on Skinner Butte in the early morning hours Nov. 9 to help arrest a man now being charged with possession of meth, heroin, and fentanyl.

At 2:24 a.m. Nov. 9, a Eugene Police Department officer observed a man driving who had a suspended license and among other things had previously fired off a handgun during an arrest. When the officer attempted a traffic stop at West 7th Avenue and Tyinn Street, the driver fled, so multiple officers responded to the area. A sergeant located the vehicle at the Side Pocket Tavern on West 6th Avenue.

Officers reviewed video and found the suspect, Raymond Martin Kennedy, age 37, of Springfield, had fled on foot. K-9 Sgt. Rob Griesel with Kuill and K-9 Officer Owen Griffith with Cwyk began searching.

At 3:02 a.m., a patrol officer near E. 5th Avenue and Oak Street spotted a person who matched Kennedy’s description. The man suddenly changed direction and disappeared when he spotted police. The officer located a backpack associated with Kennedy in some bushes nearby.

Both K-9 teams and multiple officers flooded that area to search.

Soon, additional articles of clothing and personal items were located in a northerly direction toward Skinner Butte. A Springfield Police K-9 unit arrived to assist.

As Officer Griffith and Cwyk began to find more property belonging to Kennedy, Sgt. Griesel and Kuill began searching the road to the top of the butte.

Suddenly, Sgt. Griesel aired on the radio he was with Kennedy, who had made his way halfway up the steep flank of the hill and was hiding from police in the brush. He was taken into custody without incident.

Kennedy was found in possession of more than 10 grams of methamphetamine, more than five grams of heroin, more than 200 fentanyl pills, more than 20 grams of fentanyl powder, currency, and digital scales.

He was later lodged at the Lane County Jail for charges including Possession of Methamphetamine Two Grams or More, Possession of Heroin One Gram or More, Possession/Manufacturing/Delivery of Controlled Substances Schedule Two Commercial, Elude Vehicle, Driving While Suspended, Reckless Driving.