Eugene man arrested after traffic stop, pipe bomb found in vehicle
A 43 year old man was arrested after an attempted traffic stop led officers to an apartment where they found a device in his vehicle identified as a pipe bomb, raising safety concerns for nearby residents. The arrest and discovery highlight local public safety and emergency response issues, and underscore the risk of explosive devices to community health and first responder resources.
Eugene police arrested Melvin David Bennett, 43, after officers tracked him to an apartment on the 2700 block of Willakenzie Road late Wednesday night. The arrest followed an earlier traffic stop at Seventh Avenue and Lincoln Street where a vehicle fled, and officers responding to the apartment took Bennett into custody at 10 39 p.m. without incident. Bennett was booked into Lane County Jail on suspicion of unlawfully possessing a destructive device, a felony, and on suspicion of felony eluding along with other misdemeanor charges.
Police said that “Multiple agencies” had tried unsuccessfully to find the fleeing vehicle after the traffic stop, but officers had probable cause to arrest Bennett for eluding. When officers arrived outside the apartment they positioned themselves to block the vehicle with Bennett in the driver seat from possibly leaving. The Metro Explosives Disposal Unit examined the device and took possession of it. Police did not release further details about the improvised explosive device.
Local public safety officials emphasize that pipe bombs and similar devices are unpredictable and dangerous. Such devices can be constructed from readily available materials, and when they explode fragments of the pipe casing commonly break into pieces that fly through the air and injure people nearby. Even when an explosive device does not detonate, handling and transport pose serious risks to both residents and first responders.
For Lane County residents the incident underscores several community priorities. Law enforcement coordination and specialized response capabilities, including explosive disposal teams, are essential to contain these incidents safely. Health care providers and emergency departments may face blast related injuries and secondary trauma when incidents occur, while neighbors and witnesses can experience anxiety and stress that strain local mental health resources.
The arrest and seizure removed an immediate hazard from the neighborhood, but the broader implications remain. Ongoing investment in coordinated emergency response, accessible mental health support for affected residents, and community awareness about reporting suspicious activity are measures that can reduce harm and build resilience in Eugene and across Lane County. Residents with information about the event are asked to contact local police.
