SWAT team’s conduct In Eugene probed

EUGENE, Ore. – A SWAT team raid that left a Eugene condominium in shambles is under investigation.

At issue is whether constitutional rights of tenants were violated when police entered a residence last month at the Country Club Road complex to arrest a wanted man who did not live there.

The Register-Guard says police auditor Mark Gissiner initiated the investigation on Feb. 23. This was eight days after SWAT team members fired tear gas canisters through windows to compel 20-year-old Matthew Correia to surrender.

Correia was visiting his mother and older brother at the rented two-story home. He was wanted by Oregon City police on kidnapping and burglary charges stemming from an alleged domestic dispute.

Before using tear gas, police negotiators unsuccessfully tried for several hours to coax Correia out of the home.

His mother, Jessie Correia, and 21-year-old brother, Adam Correia, said Matthew Correia had been at the home for about two hours when police knocked on the door, looking for him. They said they did not know Correia, who lives in the Portland area, was wanted.

Adam Correia said officers pulled him and his mother out of the home after they went to the door.

The two said they waited outside, cold and barefoot, for about two hours before an officer drove them to a nearby parking lot. The Correias said police did not tell them why Matthew Correia was wanted.

Gissiner said he spoke with police Chief Pete Kerns, and both agreed that the SWAT team’s conduct “is something we want to take a look at.”

The investigation will be handled by a representative of Gissiner’s office and a police internal affairs sergeant.

Police spokeswoman Melinda McLaughlin referred questions to Gissiner.

Two days after the raid, McLaughlin said it was unfortunate that property was damaged, but noted that no one was hurt.

At the time, McLaughlin also said police believed that Matthew Correia posed a danger. She said his brother’s shotgun was inside the home during the standoff and the arrest warrant indicated he could be carrying additional weapons.

Adam Correia said he and his mother expect to move back to the home in April, after repairs are completed. Tear gas canisters broke windows and a sliding glass door.

Correia said he and his mother had to buy new furniture and beds to replace items ruined by tear gas residue.