Eugene Police Special Investigations located bomb threat suspect and made arrest

Eugene, OR – Eugene Police Special Investigations has concluded its inquiry into the recent spate of bomb threats targeting Walmart and Target stores, which occurred towards the end of April and the beginning of May.

The suspect, later identified as 36-year-old Matthew Fernandez, has been apprehended in connection with the incidents. These threats not only disrupted shoppers but also necessitated store evacuations, resulting in lost sales and instilling fear within the community.

Fernandez, believed to have made at least one of the threatening calls from within the store premises, was identified as a suspect following extensive investigation by EPD SIU. On May 21, authorities arrested Fernandez at his residence.

He has since been transported to Lane County Jail to face charges, including three counts of Improper Use of 911, three counts of Disorderly Conduct in the First Degree, and a fugitive from justice charge related to an outstanding felony warrant in Colorado. Detectives, during their probe, uncovered multiple false reports to 911 made by Fernandez in April and early May, including claims of shootings.

The series of bomb threats commenced on April 29 at 6:38 p.m. when Eugene Police received a call regarding a threat at Walmart, located at 4550 W 11th Avenue. This threat was later deemed unfounded.

Subsequently, at 9:52 p.m. on May 2, another bomb threat targeting Walmart was reported, coinciding with an officer already present in the vicinity following a bomb threat made for Target, also on W.11th. The Target threat had been received around 8:45 p.m. and was similarly determined to be unfounded. As a precautionary measure, both stores were evacuated, and law enforcement conducted thorough searches of the premises.