Campus Watch: Below is a summary of campus activity reported to or observed by the University Police Department patrol officers between Wednesday, 03/24/10 and Thursday, 03/25/10. * * * * * ADMINISTRATIVE MESSAGE From APD* * * * * Auto Thieves Targeting Fitness Center Parking Lots In the last few weeks, Austin Police Department Auto Theft Interdiction detectives have seen a rise of auto thefts in fitness center parking lots throughout Austin. Victims are placing personal items such as car keys and purses in their lockers and are leaving the lockers unlocked while working out. Thieves are then stealing these items from the unlocked lockers and stealing vehicles parked in the fitness center parking lots. It only takes seconds for a thief to steal your car and your identity. Most of these crimes could have been prevented if drivers would take the few extra moments to lock their belongings, lock their vehicles and take their keys. AT&T CONFERENCE CENTER, 1900 University Ave Criminal Trespass Warning / Theft / Credit Card Abuse: A UT staff member reported a non-UT subject had established a campsite inside the enclosed courtyard. Prior to the arrival of the officers, the staff member had informed the subject that she was not allowed to set up a campsite and would either have to leave or rent a room from the hotel. The subject approached the front desk and presented a driver's license and a debit card issued to someone else. The hotel staff declined the transaction. The subject went back to the enclosed courtyard and finished setting up her campsite. During the investigation, the officers located the subject and the owner of the credit card and learned it had been removed from his wallet. The suspect was taken into custody for Fraud: Credit Card Abuse and was transported to Central Booking. In addition to the law enforcement action taken, the suspect was issued a written Criminal Trespass Warning. Occurred on: 3-23-10, at 10:54 PM. HOGG MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM, 2300 Whitis Ave Theft: A blue Cannondale mountain bicycle was reported stolen from the bike racks located on the west side of the building after being with a U-shaped lock. Loss value: $300.00. Occurred on: 3-24-10, between 6:00 AM and 6:30 PM. PERRY-CASTANEDA LIBRARY, 101 East 21st Street Theft: A UT student reported three textbooks were stolen from his locker located on the 5th floor. Loss value: $150.00. Occurred between: 3-17-10 and 3-24-10. PETER T. FLAWN ACADEMIC CENTER, #2 West Mall Criminal Trespass Warning: A non-UT subject was reported approaching UT students and asking them to give him money for a charity. Officers located the subject on the lower level of the building stopping students and handing out fliers. The subject was issued a written Criminal Trespass Warning and was escorted from the area. Occurred on: 3-24-120, at 8:00 PM. SANCHEZ BUILDING, 1912 Speedway Theft: An Apple laptop computer was reported stolen from and unsecured 3rd floor classroom. Loss value: $650.00. Occurred between: 3-11-10 and 3-12-10. 200 BLOCK EAST 21st STREET Criminal Trespass: A non-UT subject was reported attempting to enter into a secured vehicle parked in the 2100 block of Speedway. When the suspect saw the reporting UT student on the telephone, he approached the student and asked him for some money to get a boot off of his vehicle. Due to the suspect's size, the reporting person became fearful and gave the suspect $10.00. During the course of the investigation, the officers learned several additional students had been approached by the same subject who was asking them for money. Officers searched the area and located the subject sitting at a bus stop. The subject claimed to be on his way to visit his girlfriend and had not asked anyone for money or a ride. The subject was issued a written Criminal Trespass Warning and was escorted from campus. Occurred on: 3-25-10, at 1:21 AM. Scam Alert: There were 5 students who reported they had been stopped by this same subject and had been asked for money. Take a minute and ask yourself what would you do? The subject used his size to intimidate those individuals that he approached. Many of the students who were fearful gave into the subject's demands. But a couple of students simply turned around and walked away. This is a very old scam that has been played out a number of times on campus. There are number of tactics used by students that have prevented them from becoming a victim of this scam. • Turn around and walk away, simply avoiding the subject all together. • Refusing the subject's request for money. • Offering to contact the police so the police can assist them. CAMPUS WIDE: Non-Criminal Calls: In addition to the above criminal cases, the University of Texas Police Department responded to 19 Alarm Calls, 4 Suspicious Activity Reports, 4 Welfare calls, and 2 Unsecure Door Reports between 03/24/10 and 03/25/10. To view a map of the campus visit: http://www.utexas.edu/parking/maps/index.html 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 via e-mail to darrell.halstead@austin.utexas.edu Prepared by DWH To subscribe or unsubscribe, visit http://www.utexas.edu/police/campuswatch/subscribe.php
