Zachary Everett Oberle, 34, was charged with second degree arson and criminal mischief in the first degree.
Zachary Everett Oberle, 34, was charged with second-degree arson and criminal mischief in the first degree following the incident, and eventually pleaded guilty.
According to the Eugene Police Department, Oberle's guilty plea meant the case was handled via open sentencing. Prosecutors asked for a thirty-month prison sentence, while the defense argued probation was a just punishment. In the end, the judge sided with the state, handing down the maximum sentence.
The incident in question took place just before 10 pm on May 23, 2022 at the TJ Maxx on Coburg Road just across the river from downtown. After Oberle and his girlfriend entered the store, he allegedly lit a fire, and through the commotion, she ran about grabbing items off the shelves.
Eugene Springfield Fire Marshals responded and together with the Eugene Police Patrol, they contained the fire. EPD Arson investigators arrived on scene afterward to survey the extent of the damage, which was estimated to amount to more than $92,000.
It wasn't until nearly six months later that Oberle was arrested. He and his girlfriend had been identified via surveillance footage, and a search warrant was authorized. An officer spotted Oberle's girlfriend on November 15, and found him soon after. The EPD served the warrant on her apartment and were able to recover some of the property she had stolen from the TJ Maxx.
According to KPTV, Oberle had several active warrants for his arrest at the time of the incident.
Join and support independent free thinkers!
We’re independent and can’t be cancelled. The establishment media is increasingly dedicated to divisive cancel culture, corporate wokeism, and political correctness, all while covering up corruption from the corridors of power. The need for fact-based journalism and thoughtful analysis has never been greater. When you support The Post Millennial, you support freedom of the press at a time when it's under direct attack. Join the ranks of independent, free thinkers by supporting us today for as little as $1.
Remind me next month
To find out what personal data we collect and how we use it, please visit our Privacy Policy
