SPRINGFIELD, Ore. — Around 2 p.m. on Wednesday, August 4, an employee at the Best Western Hotel on Kruse Way in Springfield called police to report an unknown male had just attempted to steal their cash till located behind their employee counter. When the employee heard the drawers being opened and confronted the suspect, he fled southbound on foot from the location. The employee provided a detailed description of the suspect to police.
Springfield Police officers and detectives saturated the Gateway Street area to look for the suspect. After reviewing the camera footage from Best Western, detectives confirmed the suspect was Wilbert Jason Purvis, as he was previously identified by detectives as a suspect in previous crimes. Detectives had probable cause to believe Purvis was responsible for numerous other burglaries involving local businesses in the Eugene and Springfield area over the last month and a half, but he had not yet been located.
An employee of the Best Western posted the surveillance video to social media, which prompted several responses, including from one person who reported the same man had just departed the Mohawk Tavern 20 minutes prior. The suspect was found in the Tavern’s employee-only area, attempting to break into their cash till. Springfield Police officers and detectives then responded to the Mohawk area to locate Purvis. Officers learned Purvis had been asked to leave from Prime-Time Sports Bar and Grill, Centennial Steakhouse, and Lucky Lil’s due to his behavior…