Location: 311 Coburg Rd | MLK Jr. Blvd – Alton Baker Park
Case Number: 24-14361
Date/Time: 9.25.2024 @ 1011hrs

INVOLVED SUSPECT:
Gangle, Gavin Earl 30 Year-Old Male

NARRATIVE OF INCIDENT:
On September 25 at 1011hrs, a possible robbery was called in at 311 Coburg Road where a man, later identified as Gavan Earl Gangle, exited the store with a cart full of groceries without making any attempt to pay. As officers arrived, Gangle ran from the location. Gangle was reported to have possibly gone into the slough near the freeway.

A Springfield Police sergeant, who is a member of the Eugene Springfield Metro Drone Team, arrived to assist and deployed from the Masonic center on MLK Boulevard as weather conditions deteriorated. Several other members of the Metro Drone Team who were on scene were dispatched to other calls after an extensive search.

As the remaining EPD units cleared to support additional calls, the SPD operator continued searching the area in an attempt to locate Gangle. As the last of the drone’s battery was being drained, a large heat signature was seen near the subject’s last known location. The operator was able to positively identify Gangle, who was entangled in blackberry bushes while attempting to exit the water.

Additional units responded to the area as Gangle emerged out of the brush on the north side of the MLK Community Health Care building and began walking west on the bike path. As officers arrived, Gangle ran while the drone operator followed the foot pursuit and provided updates.

Gangle jumped back into the water and waded southwest into the Alton Baker Canal. Another SPD drone operator joined the pursuit as the original drone’s battery hit critically low levels. Officers were able to surround Gangle who was taken into custody without further incident and lodged at Lane County Jail on the charges listed below.

CHARGES:
Theft in the Second Degree | Escape in the Third Degree