Lost backpack returned to owner, along with marijuana citation

University of Arizona Police Department officers were on patrol in The Cellar of the Student Union Memorial Center on Oct. 11 at 4 a.m. when they noticed a backpack lying unsecured under a table. Officers retrieved the backpack and brought it to the UAPD station. Officers performed an inventory search on the bag in an attempt to identify the owner. Inside the pack, officers found a bag containing a green, leafy substance. A test of the substance confirmed that it was marijuana. Also inside the backpack was a homework assignment with a student’s name on it. Officers discovered that the student was a resident of Cochise Residence Hall. Officers contacted the student and asked him to identify the contents of the bag, which he was able to do. Officers asked the student if there was anything else in the backpack and the student replied that there was not. Officers then mentioned the marijuana that was found and the student admitted that it was his and that he had purchased it locally. He was cited on charges of possession of marijuana and released on scene. The incident has been referred to the Dean of Students Office.

Tau Kappa Epsilon banner stolen from fraternity house

UAPD officers were dispatched to the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity house at 906 E. First Ave. on Oct. 11 at 8:37 a.m. in reference to a theft. Upon arrival, officers met with a fraternity member who told police he had been witness to a theft. According to the man, at approximately 5 a.m. on Oct. 11, an unknown man ran up to the front lawn of the house and took a Tau Kappa Epsilon banner that was hanging across the front door. The man then got into an unknown vehicle occupied by two other men. As the vehicle left the scene, one of the occupants yelled, “”Kappa Alpha Order.”” The member described the banner as white with blue letters, approximately 11 feet long and 18 inches wide. The member was unable to provide police with any other information. The fraternity was issued a Victim’s Rights form.

Woman tries to overdose on depression medication

UAPD officers were dispatched to the La Aldea apartment complex at 825 E. Fifth St. on Oct. 11 at 1:56 p.m. in reference to a resident who had attempted to overdose on prescription medication. Upon arrival, officers made contact with the resident. According to police, she was semi-alert and slurring her speech. She informed police that she had taken fifteen 20mg Celexa pills approximately two hours before calling police. She admitted that she did not want to die and had taken the pills because she was upset that her therapist had terminated her sessions, believing she was unable to further assist the woman. Tucson Fire Department emergency medical personnel arrived on scene and transported the woman to University Medical Center for treatment. While at UMC, mental health professionals signed an emergency petition to commit the woman until additional mental health evaluations could be performed.

Buick nearly collides with UAPD bicycle officer

UAPD officers were on routine bicycle patrol in the area of University Boulevard and Park Avenue on Oct. 13 at 10:45 a.m. when a white Buick nearly collided with an officer while making a right turn. Police initiated a traffic stop at Fourth Street and Park Avenue and made contact with the driver. The driver identified himself using an Arizona driver’s license. A records check revealed a suspended driver’s license. Police cited the man on charges of driving on a suspended license, making an improper right turn, and failure to provide proof of mandatory insurance. His vehicle was towed for a mandatory 30-day impound and he was released on scene.

Altercation on Sun Tran leads to police involvement

UAPD officers responded to 1630 E. University Blvd. on Oct. 13 at 2:50 p.m. in reference to a fight on a Sun Tran bus. Upon arrival, officers met with the two men who were allegedly involved in the fight. According to one of the men, he was walking toward the front of the bus when the other man stuck his foot out and tried to trip him. The man who tried to trip him then demanded an apology. When the man refused to apologize, he was spit on. At that point, he walked to the front of the bus and alerted the driver, who called police. According to the second man, he was sitting in his seat when the other man stepped on his foot. He asked for an apology but claimed the man that stepped on his foot told him, “”I don’t have to, faggot.”” The man told police that at this point, he put a can of pepper spray in his hand because he feared he would have to defend himself. Based on the driver’s testimony and evidence found on scene, the man who attempted to trip his fellow passenger was cited on charges of assault, threatening/intimidating and disorderly conduct. He was released on scene.

Stop signs apply to bicycles as well

UAPD officers were dispatched to the area of Cherry Avenue and Mabel Street on Oct. 15 at 6:36 a.m. in reference to a report of a bicycle accident. Upon arrival, officers observed a woman lying on her back and not moving at the northeast corner of the intersection. Officers made contact with the woman and her friend, who was also in the area. According to the friend, the two women were riding toward the stop sign. The injured girl was behind her friend, who slowed down for the stop sign but did not come to a complete stop. The woman “”clipped”” the back tire of her friend’s bicycle and tumbled to the ground. She was complaining of back pain and had several visible injuries to her body. TFD was alerted and emergency medical personnel arrived to transport the woman to UMC where she was treated for her injuries. Police warned the woman’s friend about the consequences of failing to stop for stop signs.