As part of the latest wave of thefts, Tufts University Police Department (TUPD) officers responded to a burglary in progress on Whitfield Road at 9:30 p.m. on Saturday.
A female student reported entering her bedroom to find an approximately 5'10" white male putting her laptop into her backpack. The student managed to tear the backpack from the burglar as he fled out the front door.
A witness on the street saw the perpetrator get into the passenger side of a light-colored pickup truck with an orange siren and take off in the direction of Curtis Street.
An alert sent to the Tufts community on Sunday described the perpetrator as a 50-year-old white male with curly hair and of medium height.
TUPD Sgt. Robert McCarthy confirmed that this was one of several recent accounts of breaking and entering in off-campus houses.
Last week, for example, the Daily reported the theft of a 42" flat-screen television from a house on Capen Street.
McCarthy also confirmed the occurrence of a third breaking-and-entering incident close to Tufts that is currently under investigation.
Saturday's attempted theft followed a safety reminder sent out to the Tufts community the day before by the Department of Public and Environmental Safety.
"In light of recent property thefts reported to Tufts Police on campus and in the neighboring communities, we ask that you please take a moment to review suggested safety tips to help prevent the occurrence of future opportunities for criminal activity," the e-mail read.
This semester, two students have also reported their cars stolen. In one case, a vehicle was taken from a parking lot after a female student lost her keys. The car was later found parked on Capen Street. The other incident occurred after a male student noticed the keys he left in the bleachers of the Gantcher Center were missing. That car was found on Edward Street in Medford.
Anyone with information about the alleged crimes is encouraged to contact TUPD's non-emergency line at 617-627-3030. Suspicious individuals and activities should be reported immediately to TUPD's emergency line at 617-627-6911.
