Campus Watch: Below is a summary of campus activity reported to or observed by The University Police Department Patrol Officers between Friday, 11/07/14 and Monday, 11/10/14. ****Austin Crime Alert**** Recently, The University of Texas at Austin Police Department learned of two unrelated robberies that happened near the 40 acres. A robbery is when someone uses force or the threat of force or displays a weapon in the process of committing a theft or felony. One case occurred in the 5th Street and Colorado area where a pedestrian was approached from behind by a subject who grabbed the victim’s wallet and ran away. That subject was described as a Black male subject in his 20’s and approximately 6’ tall and was last seen wearing a maroon or red colored sweatshirt and black pants. In the other robbery, a UT student, who was walking near his residence in the 1900 block of San Antonio Street, was approached by a Black male subject in his 20’s who was approximately 5’9” tall with a goatee and wearing a grey hoodie. The suspect displayed a weapon and demanded money. The suspect then fled the area in a gold colored Nissan Altima with silver rims in the shape of a 5-pointed star. If you have any information regarding either of these cases, please contact the UT Police Department at 512-471-4441 or the Austin Police Department at 3-1-1. The biggest key in preventing a robbery is being aware of your surroundings. Just what does that mean – to be aware of your surroundings? Well, first off, keep your head up. Don’t be looking at your cell phone screen or book while you are walking. Robbers love to attack those that do not see them coming. You should also be mindful of the sounds around you. Sounds like someone running or tires screeching to a halt. Of course you can’t hear such sounds if you are wearing both ear buds – that’s why we call earphones “mugger magnets.” Let one ear bud dangle; you will be much safer that way. Walk with purpose and look at those around you. Nod to people as you walk by them. Such acknowledgment lets them know they have been seen and that you know what they look like. This is important as thieves and robbers want to surprise you. They use speed and terror as a tool in the hopes that you will not be able to provide an accurate description of them to the police. Limit what you carry with you and try to keep your hands free. Always – ALWAYS have a cell phone with you to summon police in the event of any emergency. If a robber confronts you and demands or uses force to take your property, let that person have it – the property that is. Don’t put up a fight or resist the robber. There is nothing in your wallet that is worth risking your life over. More often than not, a robber will take the property they want and flee the area. The best thing you can do is remain calm and without starring at the robber, make a mental picture of him or her so you can provide a good description to the police. Once the robber leaves, go to a safe place and call 9-1-1 to report the robbery. Provide the description of the robber, a description of the robber’s vehicle and the last known direction of travel for the robber to the police dispatcher. AT&T EXECUTIVE EDUCATION & CONFERENCE CENTER, 1900 University Disorderly Conduct – Language / Assault by Contact: A staff member asked two patrons to leave the 1st floor restaurant after one of the patrons directed a member of the wait staff to do something offensive. When the patrons refused to leave, a staff supervisor was summoned to scene and was promptly shoved in the chest by one of the patrons. That patron also ripped the supervisor’s name tag from his shirt. The patrons left the restaurant and summoned a taxi cab before the arrival of the police officers. Occurred on 11/08/14 at 7:20 PM. DARRELL K ROYAL TEXAS MEMORIAL STADIUM, 2200 Robert Dedman Public Intoxication: A UT student was reported as being intoxicated to the point he was falling on people in section 27 of the stadium. The student was easy to locate as he continued to have challenges with gravity as the officer approached. A sober friend was summoned to take care, custody and control of the subject who was ejected from the stadium. Occurred on 11/08/14 at 3:06 PM. DARRELL K ROYAL TEXAS MEMORIAL STADIUM, 2200 Robert Dedman Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor / Possession of Fictitious License: A UT student, who was under the age of 21, was reported as experiencing a bout of intestinal protest while inside a ground floor restroom during the Longhorn victory over the Mountaineers. The student showed other signs of having previously consumed alcoholic beverages. When asked for her license, the student handed the officer a fictitious driver’s license which purported the student to be of legal drinking age. After a check of the driver’s license showed no such name and date of birth in the database, the student admitted the license was a fake. Occurred on 11/08/14 at 5:00 PM. GATES DELL COMPLEX, 2317 Speedway Public Intoxication / Evading Arrest or Detention: A UT student, who was under the age of 21, was observed stumbling and staggering through the bushes located on the west side of the building. When the observing officer initiated a pedestrian stop, the student felt it better to flee from the officer. The student soon realized he was wrong to run when he tripped over a decorative lawn chain, got up and continued to run before tripping over a second decorative lawn chain. Once stopped, the student admitted to having consumed too much alcohol. Occurred on 11/08/14 at 1:25 AM. GREGORY GYMNASIUM, 2101 Speedway Theft: A UT student placed his backpack inside an unsecured 2nd floor men’s locker room then left to get a workout in. When the student returned to the locker he found his backpack on the floor by the locker. The student checked the contents of the backpack and discovered his black Prada wallet containing $450.00 in cash, several debit cards and his Texas Driver’s license had been stolen from the backpack. Loss value: $650.00. Occurred on 11/06/14 between 4:45 PM and 6:15 PM. Crime Prevention Tip: Wow – a wallet with a fair market value of some $200 and $450 in cash just left in an unsecured locker. To think, even a $5 lock could have prevented this theft. Don’t make a thief’s job easy – make the thief work for what he or she gets. If the work is tough enough, maybe the thief will go out and get a regular job. A locker is only good if it is locked (maybe that’s why they call it a locker and not a cabinet). JESTER ACADEMIC CENTER, 201 East 21st Street Criminal Trespass: A non-UT subject was reported as asking people for money inside the building. When the subject was located, it was discovered he had previously been issued a written criminal trespass warning. The subject was taken into custody for criminal trespass. Occurred on 11/09/14 at 7:47 PM. JESTER EAST, 201 East 21st Street Criminal Mischief: An unknown subject struck an emergency exit sign that was affixed to the ceiling near a 1st floor stairwell. The housing to the sign was damaged by the impact. Repair cost: $50.00. Discovered on 11/09/14 at 8:15 PM. JESTER WEST, 201 East 21st Street Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor: A UT student, who was under the age of 21, was reported as being intoxicated in the 13th floor lobby. The officers found the subject leaning over a trashcan attempting to evacuate the ETOH from his system. When asked how much the subject had to drink, he admitted he had “one…one too many.” After being checked by Austin-Travis County EMS, the student was released to a sober, responsible adult who was willing to accept care, custody and control of him. Occurred on 11/08/14 at 1:54 AM. JESTER WEST, 201 East 21st Street Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor: A UT staff member reported a resident needed to assist another resident into the dormitory due to the level of the other resident’s blood alcohol concentration level. The two students were located in their dormitory room where the welfare and age of the intoxicated resident was checked before he was turned over to the sober resident. Occurred on 11/08/14 at 2:58 AM. JESTER WEST, 201 East 21st Street Criminal Mischief: An unknown subject struck an emergency exit sign that was affixed to the ceiling near a 1st floor stairwell. The housing to the sign was damaged by the impact. Repair cost: $50.00. Occurred between 11/07/14 at 5:00 PM and 11/08/14 at 8:25 PM. KINSOLVING DORMITORY, 2600 Whitis Criminal Mischief: A UT student reported fresh cut marks on her bicycle lock that was being used to secure her bicycle to the bicycle racks located on the west side of the dormitory. Loss value: $20.00 (not near as much as the replacement cost of a bike). Reported on 11/07/14 at 4:32 PM. LIVING LEARNING CENTER (A), 2610 Whitis Theft: A silver colored MacBook Air was stolen when it was left on a couch in a 1st floor lobby as the owner took a shower and visited a friend. Loss value: $1,000.00. Occurred on 11/07/14 between 4:00 PM and 10:30 PM. PARKING LOT 70, 2000 Robert Dedman Public Intoxication / Possession of Alcohol by a Minor / Assist Outside Agency / Possession of Marijuana / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia / Criminal Trespass Warning (2 counts): Two non-UT subjects, who were both under the age of 21, were reported as asking people for a ride home and then stating they possessed a firearm when their requests were denied. Both subjects were located and stopped. Neither subject was in possession of a firearm. One of the two subjects had evidence down his front side of having experienced a severe involuntary reaction to the over-consumption of an alcoholic beverage. That subject was unable to stand without support and was deemed to be intoxicated to the point he was a physical danger to himself. The other subject admitted to being in possession of alcohol and produced a twelve pack of beer. That same subject was also found to have an outstanding outside agency arrest warrant for an attempted burglary of a habitation. During a search incidental to arrest, that same subject was found to be in possession of .02 ounces of marijuana, several plastic baggies and an electronic scale. In addition to other law enforcement action taken, both subjects were issued a written criminal trespass warning. Occurred on 11/08/14 at 8:55 PM. PERRY-CASTAÑEDA LIBRARY, 101 East 21st Street Evading Arrest or Detention: UT Police Officers responded to a report of a subject yelling at people on the plaza located on the north side of the library. The first officer on scene had no problems locating the subject as he was following a group of five and yelling loudly at them. When the officer directed the subject to stop, he declined and commented that he did not wish to be bothered before he began yelling once more – ironic –don’t you think. The officer then placed a verbal order for the subject to stop which too went ignored as the subject proceeded to pass the officer. Once a second officer arrived, the two officers were able to bring the subject’s boisterous jaunt to an end. Occurred on 11/07/14 at 11:01 PM. RECREATIONAL SPORTS CENTER, 2001 San Jacinto Public Intoxication: A UT student, who was under the age of 21, was reported as being passed on a retaining wall located on the west side of the building. The student was found with evidence of the evening’s intake on his shirt, pants and shoes. Apparently his intake was substantial as he continued to produce such evidence throughout the interview. The student’s pants also showed he had previously experienced a great urge but did not have the motor skills or control to prevent another release before he was prepared to do so. After the student refused treatment by Austin-Travis County EMS, he was turned over to a sober, responsible adult who was willing to care for and hopefully clean-up the student – now that’s a friend. Occurred on 11/08/14 at 6:33 PM. SAN ANTONIO PARKING GARAGE, 2420 San Antonio Duty Upon Striking an Unattended Vehicle: An unknown vehicle struck the left rear door of a parked VW Jetta while the Jetta was parked on the 7th level of the garage. The driver of the striking vehicle left the scene without leaving any driver information. Repair cost: $300.00. Occurred between 11/08/14 at 2:00 PM and 11/09/14 at 6:45 PM. SPEEDWAY PARKING GARAGE, 2700 Speedway Public Intoxication: A non-UT subject was found slumped over the steps leading to the north east side of the parking garage. When awakened the subject attempted to stand and was subsequently spared an injury by the officer who caught the now falling subject. For her efforts, the subject yelled, “Get away from me girl.” Once the intoxicated subject realized he did not have the mental capacity or manual dexterity to place a call to a sober person, he exclaimed, “Take me to jail!” Wish granted. Occurred on 11/08/14 at 4:25 PM. UNION BUILDING, 2308 Whitis Possession of Marijuana: Two UT students were reported as smoking marijuana on the north patio of the building. The responding officer followed his nose to one of the two students who subsequently produced a plastic bag containing .078 ounces of marijuana from her left coat pocket. The chivalrous student exclaimed the other student had nothing to do with the marijuana. Occurred on 11/07/14 at 4:13 PM. UNIVERSITY POLICE BUILDING, 2201 Robert Dedman Fraudulent Use of Possession of Identifying Information: A UT student contacted the UT Police Department to report personal information from his stolen cellular telephone had been used to take out a loan at a bank in Los Angeles, California. The student advised his Apple iPhone 5 had been stolen when her left it in a Las Vegas cab on 07/11/14 between 11:30 PM and 12 midnight. Reported on 11/07/14 at 5:28 PM. Crime Prevention Tip: Once your identity has been compromised, your good name and credit are subject to criminal activity for years to follow. That being said, take every measure to assure your identifying information is secured. This is especially problematic with so many people keeping such information on their electronic devices. If your good name and credit information resides on your phone, then treat your phone like cash – never leave it unattended or accessible to a thief. Also, make sure you keep your electronics password protected and look into tracking software for items like your phone, laptop and tablet. Some of these programs are pre-installed but must be activated before your device is stolen. A few of these security features also have a remote data wipe feature that allows you to eliminate any data on the device remotely. UNIVERSITY POLICE BUILDING, 2201 Robert Dedman Credit / Debit Card Abuse: A UT student came to the police department to report several unauthorized charges totaling $1,816.82 made against her bank account debit card. The student was in possession of the debit card. The student recognized the unauthorized charges while inspecting her account. Occurred on 11/06/14. Crime Prevention Tip: With the ever growing use of “ones and zeroes” to code our entire existence, the risk of identity theft and electronic fraud multiplies exponentially. In today’s high tech crime world, a thief can hack your electronic information and take control of your accounts or even your good name with just a few keystrokes. You must be diligent with every on-line transaction. Make sure you do on-line business with companies offering secure check out services. Keep your own hardware and software secure and up-to-date. Don’t make your computer, laptop, cellular device or any electronic contraption – even your gaming system – accessible to a thief. Keep your security software up-to-date; don’t just “x out” that alert that your security software is out of date. Check your accounts frequently for any suspicious transactions. As soon as you detect an odd transaction or one you don’t recall – look into it and cancel your cards immediately when you discover an unauthorized transaction. Mind your mail – yes your snail mail. Often times an identity thief will dumpster dive for discarded financial statements. Some thieves even steal your mail right out of your mailbox. If you didn’t receive a bill on time, then take action. Contact the financial institution to see about the bill and inspect your recent charges against that account. WALTER WEBB HALL, 2500 Guadalupe Graffiti: A currently unknown subject used paint rollers, orange paint, and white spray paint to paint a large image on the east exterior wall of the building. The “street artist” left behind all of his or her art supplies including a leaking can of paint and a drop cloth. Removal cost: $100.00. Reported on 11/08/14 at 11:38 PM. 1700 San Jacinto Public Intoxication: A UT student was found passed out while seated on the side of the road. Once awakened, the student showed so many classic signs of intoxication it may be hard to illustrate them all here – but let’s give it a try. In addition to having difficulty standing to the point the officer insisted he just stay seated, the student handed the officer an insurance card when asked for a driver’s license. The student recalled he had 4 or 5 beers but could not recall the type and more importantly the size of the beers (we are guessing they were large beers). The student had difficulty with time and space as he estimated the time he was passed out to be “100 micrometers.” The student believed he was currently on 6th street and that he was 1 by 5 blocks from his residence. The student was found to be under the influence of an intoxicating liquid to the point he was deemed to be a danger to himself. Occurred on 11/08/14 at 4:48 AM. 2100 San Jacinto Assault: A fan of UT football approached an officer and reported that while he and his brother-in-law were walking toward the stadium for the football game, they were approached by an obvious fan of the West Virginia Mountaineers who had been heckling other football patrons (I’m guessing the fan from West Virginia believed that the Mountaineers would win). The Mountaineer fan punched the reporting person’s brother-in-law in the face. The brother-in-law decided to forego the game and left the area. The reporting person was able to capture an image of the suspect who was described as a White male, heavyset with light facial hair and wearing blue and yellow stripped overalls, a dark blue t-shirt, a green hat and holding a beer. Reported on 11/08/14 at 2:46 PM. 2300 San Jacinto Public Intoxication: A UT student was observed having difficulty sitting upright while on a bus stop bench. As the officer approached the student, she began to exhibit an adverse reaction to the consumption of alcohol. The student had a difficult time with estimating the amount or type of alcohol she had consumed and was not confident in her current location or the coordinates of her preferred destination. While the student was found to be under the influence of an alcoholic beverage to the point she was a danger to herself, she was turned over to a sober family member who arrived to assume care, custody and control of her. Occurred on 11/09/14 at 3:38 AM. The University of Texas Police Department responded to 107 Alarm Reports, 2 “Police Help” Callbox Activations, 1 Fire Alarm Activation, 29 Suspicious Activity Reports, 14 Traffic Violations, 2 Motor Vehicle Collisions, 2 Medical Emergency Reports, 1 Water Main Break, 6 Welfare Concern Reports, 2 Found Property Reports, 5 Unsecured Door Reports and 17 Public Assist Reports between 11/07/14 and 11/10/14. Prepared by: Ofc. WR π/ To subscribe or unsubscribe, visit http://www.utexas.edu/police/campuswatch/subscribe.php/
