Suspect apprehended during vehicle part theft
On the morning of March 23, at approximately 3:39 a.m., Tufts University Police Department (TUPD) officers received a report of a suspicious individual lurking in the Cousens parking lot.
As a TUPD officer approached the area, she observed an unidentified male in a black hooded sweatshirt lying down next to an Acura Integra. A second suspect appeared and, as the officer approached them, the two men ran.
A foot pursuit ensued as the suspects crossed both the baseball field and the track adjacent to Curtis Avenue. One suspect escaped, but another was apprehended by members of the TUPD. The suspects left their own vehicle, an unidentified van, in the parking lot, which was impounded.
According to reports, three other vehicles in addition to the Integra were broken into that morning.
The incident, which is still under investigation, will be looked at in conjunction with several reports of external vehicle part theft throughout the past several weeks.
According to TUPD Sergeant Richard McConaghy, the speedy apprehension of the suspects is the result of campus-wide awareness.
"Due to the Tufts community and extra patrols, we were able to make an arrest in this case," McConaghy said. He urges members of the community to continue to look for suspicious activity occurring in parking lots and to alert authorities if they see anything "out of the ordinary."
Series of thefts on College Ave. reported after break
Student residents of various houses along College Avenue reported break and entry-style robberies occurring over the Spring Break week.
On Saturday, March 26 at approximately 12:49 a.m., a student returning from vacation called the Tufts University Police Department (TUPD) alleging that two computers had been stolen from the house.
Upon returning to the house, the student found the back door unlocked and ajar. According to police reports, the residents of the house left the door unlocked over the break. TUPD officers called members of the Somerville Police Department (SPD) to assist at the scene. There are no suspects at this time.
Another student reported a similar robbery the same afternoon at approximately 4:00 p.m. The student reported that his laptop was taken from his room sometime between Friday, March 18 and March 26. During this time, other residents stayed in the apartment. According to TUPD reports, no signs of forced entry existed and police have no suspects at this time.
On Sunday, March 27 at approximately 1:46 p.m., yet another student reportedly returned from break to find a laptop and a digital camera missing from his residence. The student left on Sunday, March 20 and believes that sometime between this date and his return date his property was stolen.
Members of the TUPD who reported to the scene, however, found that the locking mechanisms for both the interior and exterior rear doors were inadequate.
TUPD Sergeant Richard McConaghy said that these incidences are painful reminders to members of the Tufts community that preparation is in order when leaving their off-campus residencies for extended periods of time.
"Students must take their time to lock their doors and close their windows," McConaghy said. He also suggested that, during breaks, students should leave a light on in their houses and have neighbors take in their mail so as to eliminate any signs of their being away.
-- Compiled by Mark Pesavento
