Campus Watch: Below is a summary of campus activity reported to or observed by The University Police Department Patrol Officers between Monday, 11/10/14 and Tuesday, 11/11/14. ****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. ART BUILDING, 2301 San Jacinto Theft: A media cart containing a grey colored Mac Mini computer, an Epson projector, black computer speakers, two computer keyboards and a computer mouse was stolen from a 1st floor room. Loss value: $1,060.00. Occurred between 11/03/14 and 11/06/14 at 1:30 PM. BENEDICT HALL, 105 West 21st Street Theft: A Canon Vixia HV30 high definition camcorder and a power cable were stolen when they were left inside a 2nd floor classroom. Loss value: $200.00. Occurred between 11/07/14 at 6:00 PM and 11/08/14 at 8:00 AM. COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS, 305 East 23rd Floor Theft: A MacBook Air was stolen after it was left in a 1st floor classroom. Loss value: $1,200.00. Occurred on 11/10/14 between 12 noon and 2:00 PM. GATES DELL COMPLEX, 2317 Speedway Theft: A white LG G3 cellular telephone was stolen after it was left on a table in a 3rd floor computer lab. Loss value: $170.00. Occurred on 11/09/14 between 2:15 PM and 2:45PM. GATES DELL COMPLEX, 2317 Speedway Assault by Contact (2 counts) / Criminal Trespass Warning: A UT student reported a non-UT subject had engaged her in unwanted flirting as she sat in a 3rd floor atrium. The subject then placed his hand on her lower back and pulled her toward him in an attempt to kiss her. The student pulled free and left the area. Based on the reporting person’s description of the subject, responding officers located the subject as the subject was exiting the building. During the investigation, a second UT student approached the officers and advised that the subject had engaged her in the same unwanted flirtation and touches. Before being booked into jail, the subject was also issued a written criminal trespass warning. Occurred on 11/10/14 at 6:40 PM. UNIVERSITY POLICE BUILDING, 2201 Robert Dedman Suspicious Activity: A UT student came to the police department and reported his spouse had received a telephone call from an unknown person. The caller asked his spouse for the reporting person’s date of birth and social security number. The spouse provided the caller with the reporting person’s telephone number. The caller then telephoned the reporting person claiming to be with a “communication company” and asked the reporting person for his date of birth and social security number. The reporting person recognized this as suspicious and refused to provide such information before disconnecting the call. Reported on 11/10/14 at 6:18 PM. Crime Prevention Tip: The reporting person, and his spouse did a great job handling this situation. You should never provide your personal information; like your date of birth or social security number, to an unsolicited caller. 24th Street and San Antonio Indecent Exposure: A UT staff member reported being approached by a male subject as she was walking to work. The male subject was holding something in his hand that shall not be mentioned here. The subject attempted to engage the staff member in conversation but she continued to walk – no doubt at a more brisk pace. The staff member provided officers with a description of the suspect who was quickly located by the UT Police Department’s Bike Patrol Unit. It is safe to say the suspect was not near as happy to see the officers. Occurred on 11/10/14 at approximately 7:00 AM. The University of Texas Police Department responded to 26 Alarm Reports, 2 “Police Help” Callbox Activations, 9 Suspicious Activity Reports, 9 Traffic Violations, 1 Medical Emergency Report, 1 Welfare Concern Report, 3 Found Property Reports and 3 Public Assist Reports between 11/10/14 and 11/11/14. Prepared by: Ofc. WR π/ To subscribe or unsubscribe, visit http://www.utexas.edu/police/campuswatch/subscribe.php/
