CAMPUS WATCH: Below is a summary of campus activity reported to or observed by the University Police Department patrol officers between Friday 12-01-06 and Monday, 12-04-06. * * * * ADMINISTRATIVE MESSAGE * * * * * The UT Police Crime Prevention Unit has completed its 100th group presentation for the semester. On average, this is accomplished over the course of the entire school year. Due to the high demand, we are pleased and proud to present a new web page detailing all of the different group presentations that are currently available. Please visit our new web page at: http://www.utexas.edu/police/prevention/presentations.html These group presentations are free…a priceless endeavor . BRACKENRIDGE APRTMENTS, 3350 Lake Austin Blvd. Burglary of Motor Vehicle: The passenger side window of a 2001 Hyundai was discovered broken out and a baby car seat was removed from the rear passenger compartment. Loss value: $120.00. Occurred: between 11-30-06, at 6:00 PM and 12-01-06, at 10:45 AM. CENTENNIAL Park, 1700 Block Red River Criminal Trespass Warning: A non-UT subject was discovered sleeping in a restricted area. The officer woke the subject up and issued him a written Criminal Trespass Warning and escorted him from the area. Occurred on: 12-03-06, at 9:00 AM. CHEMICAL PETROLEUM ENGINEERING BUILDING, 200 East Dean Keeton Criminal Mischief: A total of 42 black skid marks were discovered in various locations within a second floor hallway. The skid marks were two to three feet in length and approx. three feet off the floor. Loss value: Unknown at this time. Discovered: 12-01-06, at 7:00 AM. CHEMICAL PETROLEUM ENGINEERING BUILDING, 200 East Dean Keeton Criminal Trespass Warning: A non-UT subject was observed looking into windows and entering classrooms. During the investigation, the officer located the non-UT subject on the second floor. The subject informed the officer that he had been entering into classrooms and looking into windows because he was looking for a bathroom. The subject was issued a written criminal trespass warning and escorted from the area. Occurred on: 12-01-06, at 7:41 PM. PETER T. FLAWN ACADEMIC CENTER, #4 West Mall Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor: A UT student was observed being supported by two additional UT students as he began providing alcohol-enriched fertilizer to a large planter box. During the investigation, the officer detected the odor of alcohol on all three subjects' breath and determined that all three were under the legal age of 21. As the officer was issuing all three students a field release citations, the first subject again felt the need to exhibit an extreme physical reaction to the overconsumption of alcohol. The subject lost consciousness and was transported to a local area hospital for alcohol poisoning. Occurred on: 12-02-06, at 3:06 AM. TAYLOR HALL, #8 East Mall Burglary of Building: An Apple computer was stolen from a secured office after an exterior window was broken out. Loss value: $750.00. Occurred: between 12-01-06, at 5:00 PM and 12-03-06, at 12:31 PM. UNION BUILDING, #4 West Mall Attempted Theft: An unknown subject attempted to removed a portrait of President George W. Bush from a 3rd floor study area. As the subject was attempting to remove the painting, an alarm sounded scaring the subject. The subject was described as: Asian male, 5'-09", 145 pounds, with short brown hair. The subject was last seen wearing a blue shirt, denim jacket and dark colored pants. Occurred on: 12-01-06, at 8:05 PM. UNIVERSITY POLICE BUILDING: Suspicious Activity: A UT student reported that she had received a telephone call from an unknown subject posing as a psychology student conducting a survey. The unknown subject wanted the student to answer questions with regards to the topic "darkness of mind." The student stated towards the end of the survey the questions began to take on sexual connotations. The student hung up the telephone and contacted The Office of Research and Support Compliance. The student learned that the survey was neither authorized nor legitimate. Reported on: 12-01-06, at 3:00 PM. Crime Prevention Tip: This student did a great job by contacting UT to report this unauthorized survey. My partner and I have been telling many of the students, staff and parents that a telephone is the best crime prevention tool ever made. A telephone comes with a double edge. That double edge is used by a thief to obtain your personal information. If you have questions about the legitimacy of a telephone or online survey, ask the following questions before providing anyone with your personal information. Get the name of the person in charge of the survey as well as the name of the person you are talking to. Obtain the name of the head researcher and the Institutional Review Board number and a telephone number and call them back. Prior to participating in any survey ask questions about any consent process. For any additional information contact the Office of Research and Support Compliance at (512) 471-8871. UNIVERSITY TEACHING CENTER, 105 West 21st Street Theft: A UT student walked past a UT police officer carrying a wicker chair over his shoulders by Sutton Hall. During the investigation, the officer recognized the subject as the same person he had seen standing next to a similar chair at UTC. The subject stated he found the chair and was taking it to his studio. The subject received a referral to the Dean of Students with charges pending. Loss value: $50.00. Occurred on: 12-04-06, at 4:50 AM. 400 BLOCK WEST 24TH STREET Public Intoxication: A UT student was observed attempting to navigate the hidden contours of a straight sidewalk as he staggered and stumbled along. The subject was stopped and the officer asked the subject for his ID card or driver's license. The subject removed a set of keys from his pocket and began trying to locate his DL in between his keys, telling the officer to "hold on, it's here." The officer detected a very strong odor of alcohol on the subject's breath and noted that the subject had challenges with his balance and his speech. The subject was taken into custody for Public Intoxication and transported to Central booking. Occurred on: 12-02-06, at 4:15 AM. 400 BLOCK WEST 34TH STREET Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor: A vehicle was stopped for speeding in the 400 block West 34th Street. During the investigation, the officer detected a moderate odor of alcohol inside the passenger compartment. The officer determined the odor of alcohol was emitting from the backseat passenger. As the investigation continued, the officer discovered that the passenger was under the legal age of 21 and had been consuming alcohol. The passenger was issued a field release citation for Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor. Occurred on: 12-02-06, at 2:36 AM. 600 BLOCK COLORADO STREET Driving While Intoxicated: A black Dodge Ram truck struck two legally parked vehicles as the truck attempted to parallel park. The driver of the vehicle left. During the investigation, the driver of the truck returned and provided the officer with all of his required information. The officer soon discovered that the subject had been consuming adult beverages and could not operate a motor vehicle safely and instructed the subject to take a taxi home. The subject complied. Within 15 minutes of leaving in a taxi, the subject returned and drove away in his truck. The officer obtained an arrest warrant and the subject was taken into custody and transported to Central Booking on 12-04-06. 900 BLOCK EAST DEAN KEETON Driving While Intoxicated, Open Alcoholic Container: A silver colored Honda was observed traveling 15 mph in a posted 35 mph zone. The vehicle would speed up then slow down then meander between traffic lanes while attempting to negotiate a straight course. During the investigation, the officer detected a very strong odor of alcohol on the driver's breath and observed that her eyes were glassy. The driver told the officer that she was trying to text message someone while driving. As the investigation continued, the officer administered the Standardized Field Sobriety tests to the driver. The driver exhibit several clues that indicated she was intoxicated. The driver was taken into custody for Driving While Intoxicated. After being taken into custody the officer located a silver metal flask with an Alpha Chi Omega monogram. The flask contained vodka. The driver stated that she had been to a Chi Omega party. The driver was transported to Central Booking and the charge was enhanced to include the open alcohol container. Occurred on: 12-02-06, at 1:25 AM. 2000 BLOCK ROBERT DEDMAN DR. Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor: Two UT students were observed walking between MNC and RSC, and one subject appeared to be paying close attention to the direction the officer was going. The officer soon discovered one subject was no longer walking with the other. The officer discovered the second subject hiding in the bushes located on the north side of Rec Sports. The subject claimed he was scared of the "scary officer" and hid. During the investigation, the officer detected a moderate odor of alcohol on the subject's breath and discovered that the subject was under the legal age of 21. The subject received a field release citation for Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor. Occurred on: 12-02-06, at 4:08 AM. 2300 BLOCK SAN JACINTO Assist Outside Agency: A tan colored Chevy was observed running a stop sign and continued traveling north. The vehicle was stopped and the officer soon discovered that the driver had an outstanding outside agency warrant for No Insurance. The driver was taken into custody and transported to Central Booking. Occurred on: 12-03-06, at 2:17 AM. Crime Prevention Tip: The countdown continues and there are 11 shopping days left till Hanukkah, 20 days till Christmas, and 21 days till Kwanzaa. A Thief's Holiday Wish List: Anything and everything that is left unattended and unsecured. Gifts marked off the "Wish List" 2 Laptop computers √ 2 Wallets √ Credit Cards √ Good ol' American currency √ 2 Panasonic DVD / VCR Recorders√ Pioneer AM/FM/CD stereo √ Apple computer √ Baby Car Seat √ With the Christmas rush fixing to hit, and take a few minutes and relax. Remember criminals and predators are most prolific during the holidays, effective security precautions require a conscious awareness of one's environment virtually every day of the year. Maintain vigilance, common sense and caution and keep the holidays thieves wanting. Thieves and predators are on the lookout for body language that conveys vulnerability. Criminals look for easy marks such as people who are slouched over, preoccupied or are fumbling with packages. Walk confidently and be alert when you maneuver through crowded malls and parking areas. Don't Shop Till You Drop - While Madison Avenue may say otherwise, security professionals advise that consumers avoid holiday shopping fatigue. Keep your shopping bags in your sight at all times, and don't burden yourself with too many packages. Never leave your credit card on a store counter. While "bling" may be king, avoid wearing visibly expensive jewelry during holiday shopping adventures. There is safety in numbers, so shopping with friends whenever possible is highly recommended. Report Suspicious Activity - Report suspicious people or situations to mall security. Be aware of unusual movements or anyone who gets too close for comfort. Chockfull of goodies during the holidays, parking lots are targeted locations for the theft of valuables from vehicles. Parking in an isolated area rolls out the welcome mat for criminals so park near other vehicles or in high pedestrian and traffic areas. Criminals walk through parking lots looking for easy opportunities, such as vehicles with unlocked doors or packages and valuables in plain sight. Don't be an easy target and remember to tuck packages and valuables out of sight in your vehicle, and be certain that your windows are closed and your doors are locked. Avoid becoming an easy mark in the parking lot by being aware of noises and movements and having your keys in your hands, ready to open your vehicle. Be sure to look into the vehicle's front and rear seat before entering it, and lock your vehicle as soon as you get in. If someone approaches your vehicle inquiring about directions, do not open your door or roll your window down. If you have car trouble, remain in your car and use a cell phone to call for assistance, or return to the mall and notify security. CAMPUS WIDE: Non-Criminal Calls: In addition to the above criminal cases, The University of Texas Police Department responded to 5 medical call, 7 suspicious activity reports, 3 collision report, and 12 unsecured door reports between 12-01-06 and 12-04-06. Contact UT Police at 471-4441 if you have any information regarding any of the above incidents or call 911 regarding suspicious persons, suspicious activities or crime. Your call may help solve or prevent a crime. Campus Watch comments should be directed to Officer Darrell Halstead at 512-232-9634 or Darrell.halstead@austin.utexas.edu . Prepared by DWH
