Fraternity members hop fence to day care center

A University of Arizona Police Department officer stopped at the Delta Tau Delta fraternity house after spotting people jumping the fence into the Kinder Care day care center at 2:46 a.m. on Nov. 8. The officer heard noises from the back of the day care center and shone his spotlight on the area dividing the two properties.

The officer then stepped out of his patrol car and pointed his flashlight at the front of the fraternity house, leading one of the people to hop back over the fence into the house’s yard. Another man came from the gate, asking the officer why he was there, while another ducked down and didn’t move.

The officer then knocked on the house’s front door, and a member of chapter leadership answered.

The man said the fraternity has had past issues with the center, which complained about the house’s loud music when children were there, as well as the house’s garbage. The man said the fraternity members had jumped the fence to retrieve a basketball from the yard.

Although he was cooperative, the man avoided questions on the beer cans and alcohol in the living room of the house.

The officer reminded him of the importance in cooperating with police rather then hiding from them, before leaving the scene.

Traffic stop scare

A man carrying a starter pistol and an empty 30 round magazine was pulled over for going 55 mph in a 35 mph zone at 9:30 a.m. on Nov. 8.

The officer pulled the man, driving a silver Chevrolet S10 pickup, over in a nearby church driveway. Upon stopping, the driver began acting suspiciously, opening his door and concealing himself, so the officer drew his weapon and told the man to keep his hands visible and remain in the car. The man complied.

The officer then handcuffed the man and sat him on a curb before searching for weapons, when he found the pistol and magazine.

The suspect was identified with an Arizona driver’s license and released from the handcuffs. He was given a civil citation for speeding and advised not to repeat his behavior during future traffic stops.

Honesty is the best policy

A UAPD officer was doing rounds with a resident assistant when he smelled a strong odor of marijuana coming from a room in Arizona-Sonora Residence Hall at 10:30 p.m. on Nov. 8. The officer spotted a student leaving the dorm and asked him to return for questions.

The officer asked to enter the room, but the student said no. Another student opened the door, so the officer asked if he lived there, and he said no. The officer asked if there was marijuana in the room, and the first student said there was not.

“I will not lie to you. I have some,” the student who answered the door said. The man then handed the officer a small bag of marijuana and a joint from his pocket, saying the two students had been about to go and smoke.

The marijuana was taken into property and evidence, and the RA said the hall directors would be notified. Additionally, the student holding the marijuana was diverted to the Dean of Students on a charge of possession of marijuana.