We’ve all done a group assignment and felt like we invested significantly more effort than our partners did — though very few likely took a physical injury over it. The next issue of Police Beat is here to help you stay up-to-date on everything going on as the University of Arizona community starts to creep up on Thanksgiving. As always, stay informed so that you can stay prepared and stay safe.
UA defrauded out of $14,000
On Nov. 7, a UA procurement card was found to have made two fraudulent payments combining to a total of $13,979.59. Both payments were associated with a purchaser known only as Dingchenyashengjiugiu.
The card was used through an Apple Pay account to make both fraudulent purchases. The UA staff member who was in possession of the procurement card reported the fraud to the University of Arizona Police Department and the case was forwarded to be reviewed by detectives. The card was destroyed and the bank reversed both of the charges.
Dingchenyashengjiugiu could not be reached for comment.
Telephone scammer poses as UAPD officer
On Nov. 9, the father of a UA student was called by a man who identified himself as Officer Beau with UAPD. The man informed the student’s father that his daughter and a friend were arrested and detained after felony drugs were found in their car. The man reportedly spoke with deep knowledge of the rules related to the incident.
The man on the phone stated that he wanted to offer a side deal to the father, claiming that if he provided his email and debit information, then it could be used to expedite a bail bondsman. The father refused to give any personal information or money to the caller.
UAPD attempted to call the phone number used to contact the father. There was no answer, but the voicemail greeting included a recording of a male voice with a southern drawl identifying himself as Lieutenant Beau with UAPD.
Student assaults group project partner following classroom altercation
On Nov. 17, three UA students who were working together on a group project were in their class at McClelland Park. One student felt that his two project partners were not as invested as him. He loudly verbally shamed them both in front of the entire class, insulting both of their intelligence.
One of the two project partners became enraged by the student’s language. He approached the student and punched him twice, giving him a black eye.
The assaulting student admitted to punching his group partner after being read his Miranda rights. The partner who was punched stated that he wanted to prosecute, but his behavior in front of the class led to the Dean of Students Office being alerted for a code of conduct violation.
Man reports car stolen after forgetting where he parked
On Nov. 17, a man unaffiliated with the UA called the police believing that his vehicle had been stolen three days prior. He reported that his car was pinging the area of Second Street and North Olive Road.
The Tucson Police Department alerted UAPD of the man’s report, who dispatched officers to search the area. They discovered the man’s vehicle undamaged in the lot by the Slonaker House, which is within the area indicated by the pinging.
The man later admitted that he may have simply misplaced where he parked the vehicle.
Driver crashes into arm gate in parking garage
On Nov. 18, a driver of a pickup truck tried to enter the east entrance of Tyndall Avenue Parking Garage. However, the arm gate did not have a chance to open.
Undeterred, the driver pressed forward until the arm gate broke and allowed the truck entry into the garage. Damage is estimated to be $1440.
Water resources research center burglarized
On Nov. 7, a burglary was reported at the Water Resources Research Center. Entry was made when the door latch to the 14-foot trailer was broken.
A cart worth $250 was stolen. There are no suspects or leads.
Suspect in a string of expensive bike and scooter thefts detained
On Nov. 12, a man who was a suspect in a string of bike and scooter thefts — who also had an active exclusionary order from UA property — was caught on camera and detained at the UAPD station for questioning.
While he was searched, officers found the man to be in possession of multiple burglary tools. He was booked at the Pima County Jail for multiple counts of third degree burglary, possession of burglary tools and theft of an item over $2,000.
According to UAPD, the suspect stole a combined total of six electric bikes and scooters between Oct. 4 and Nov. 10. The stolen property had a combined value of nearly $6,000.
One of these thefts occurred on Oct. 30 when the suspect cut a hole in the metal gate at Likens Residence Hall to access the bike storage area. The suspect then returned on two separate occasions on Nov. 1 and Nov. 2 to that bike area to commit an additional theft.
On Nov. 10, another man was detained after security cameras identified him as the suspect in a bike theft from the previous day in the area of the Second Street Parking Garage. Officers then discovered that the man was in possession of drug paraphernalia and prescription-only drugs not prescribed to him.
There were five additional bikes and scooters reported stolen in other incidents between Nov. 3 and Nov. 17.
