As part of the newly revived police beat, the Daily Wildcat will be breaking down key crime details and trends from over the break to be aware of going into the spring semester.
Greek Row robberies
Winter break brought burglaries to Greek Row, prompting some chapters to request increased security in the area.
The initial burglary occurred at the Zeta Psi fraternity house on Dec. 27. According to University of Arizona Police Department police reports, the suspect appeared to have entered through a second-floor window wearing a black hooded sweatshirt. The suspect then allegedly tampered with multiple doors to enter residents’ rooms. After the suspect fled, UAPD officers cleared the interior of the property.
On Dec. 28, a male matching the original description of the suspect was detained near the residence, but the footage of the incident was not enough to identify the burglar, so the suspect could not be positively identified.
On Dec. 29, two burglars, one armed with a crowbar, opened a window at Delta Chi fraternity and attempted to climb into the apartment. The suspects then abandoned their mission, with one yelling incoherently through the window and fleeing the scene, according to police reports.
Vehicle theft and damage
Hyundai vehicles appeared to be frequent targets of damage and theft, with three Hyundai vehicles being broken into and two being stolen or reported missing between Dec.16-25.
In one instance, a missing Hyundai Elantra was found the next day, but there was no footage of the car leaving the garage.
Other vehicles, from an Isuzu Box Truck to a Ford EcoSport, were damaged or robbed in various parking garages on campus. Tyndall Avenue Garage and Park Avenue Garage were the most common sites of vehicle-related crimes.
Threatening behavior towards women
UAPD has been conducting increased patrols as a result of three female students being grabbed, followed and groped near campus early last month.
On Dec. 19, a male not affiliated with campus inappropriately touched a female restaurant employee on University Boulevard and followed her into her workplace. The suspect, who was later taken into custody by the Tucson Police Department, was detained near Second Street and Campbell after fleeing the scene.
On Dec. 21, a UA staff member and her daughter were walking near Sixth Street and Highland Avenue when they noticed a dark blue four-door Sedan with front damage following them slowly.
The vehicle fled when the two took photos of it, but unfortunately, the photos didn’t give a clear view of a license plate or suspect.
Suspicious behavior online
On Jan. 1, UAPD officers responded to a report of an international student sending threatening messages to a WeChat group with 475 students.
In an interview with UAPD, the student explained that he was leaving the U.S. after graduation and wanted to rehome his cat. Still, some users on the app were verbally berating him and accusing him of trying to sell rather than rehome it.
In response, the student sent a link to an article covering a mass shooting at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to the chat, which users perceived as a threat.
In the interview, the student explained that he hadn’t intended to make any threats; rather, he was warning the group that verbal abuse can sometimes lead to violence in America.
Tips on avoiding crime
UAPD released a “Back to School” media release on Jan. 9 that contained relevant information on avoiding crime on campus. The statement discussed ways that students, faculty and staff can travel safely, be aware of their surroundings and contact authorities. Much of this information can be found in the Wildcat Safety Guide.
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