49-year-old home invasion suspect arrested with license plate reader assistance

Eugene, OR – On July 23 at approximately 6:57 p.m., the Eugene Police Department (EPD) successfully apprehended 49-year-old Kristi Lee Loewe, a suspect wanted in connection with a home invasion case in Humboldt County, Nevada. Officers responded to the 3000 block of N. Delta Highway to assist detectives in taking Loewe into custody.

Loewe was flagged by Eugene’s License Plate Reader (LPR) system near Crescent Avenue after the vehicle she was driving was identified. The LPR system had flagged the license plate because the registered owner had an active felony-level warrant listed in the National Criminal Information Center (NCIC). Importantly, the LPR system targets only felony-level warrants and does not flag suspended or unlicensed drivers.

Following the alert, an EPD detective confirmed that the driver matched the description and photo associated with the warrant. Patrol officers were called in to conduct a traffic stop. Loewe was taken into custody peacefully. Upon further investigation, officers discovered that she was also wanted on additional warrants for DUII, reckless driving, and a failure to appear citation from Coos County.

Loewe was subsequently transported to Lane County Jail, where she was lodged on a charge of Fugitive from Justice. She was cited in lieu of custody on her other outstanding warrants.

The use of the License Plate Reader system proved instrumental in locating and apprehending Loewe, highlighting the growing role of technology in aiding law enforcement efforts.