EUGENE, Ore. – A stolen Dodge Ram was recovered early Thursday morning after a quick response from a Eugene Police officer who spotted the freshly stolen vehicle just moments after it was taken.
At approximately 1:30 a.m. on February 6, Eugene Police received a dispatch report about a vehicle theft from the McDonald’s parking lot located at 55 River Avenue. The stolen vehicle, a white Dodge Ram, was seen driving in the area, prompting immediate action from an officer on patrol.
While en route to investigate, the officer spotted the vehicle in the 2400 block of McDougal Lane. As the officer turned around to get a better look, the Dodge Ram drove past him. The officer noted multiple people inside and proceeded to follow the vehicle as it headed to the parking lot of WinCo Foods on Barger Drive.
Realizing the situation could escalate, the officer called for backup and conducted a felony, high-risk stop. The driver of the vehicle, later identified as 32-year-old Zachary Lee Neuroth, was taken into custody without further incident. Neuroth faces charges of Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle, Burglary in the Second Degree, and Theft in the Third Degree.
A passenger in the vehicle, 30-year-old Mario Nelson Iraheta, was also arrested after officers discovered he had multiple warrants for his arrest. Iraheta was taken into custody and transported to Lane County Jail along with Neuroth.
The swift action by the officer resulted in the timely recovery of the stolen vehicle and the arrest of both suspects. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the vehicle theft.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilant policing and the impact of quick decision-making in apprehending suspects and recovering stolen property.
