Fraternity theft still sparks questions, allegations
EUGENE, Ore - The alleged theft at the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity has been the talk of campus this week.
Stories and accusations have been flying online. KVAL separates rumors from fact.
Did Duck football players Jeremiah Masoli and Garrett Embry steal from the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity?
A fraternity member named them as suspects in a newspaper report and rumors are swirling online. Almost one week after the alleged theft, we went to fact-check the rumors. As of Friday, police would not confirm these two are suspects.
In a police log, a caller describes two men leaving the house and that they stole a laptop.
One of the suspects was described as a black male with medium build.
Did Taylor's Bar and Grill provide surveillance video? The owner confirmed to KVAL police did look at their surveillance tape from that night but would not say why or what was on it.
The owner said he did not know if police took their own copy of the video.
Did Garret Embry's locker get cleared out?
Andy McNamara with the UO Athletic Department would not confirm nor deny this. He did tell KVAL there has been no change to the team roster and that both Embry and Masoli have been working out this week.
SAE Fraternity members gave no comment.
KVAL spoke with criminal defense attorney Russell Barnett in Portland. He is not involved in this case but says it is normal to not have an arrest at this point.
"It's very normal," he says. "Everyone is doing what they're supposed to be doing. Not rushing to judgement, not rushing to make an arrest that may not survive the test of time."
Barnett says police typically make a theft arrest 48 hours to 2 months from an initial call.
"In cases that have high profile or potentially high profile participants - people tend to be more careful or cautious," he says.
