DPS continues investigation into larcenies
Using camera footage, the Department of Public Safety is continuing to investigate a string of campus larcenies that began in January. DPS has increased area patrols as well.
Since Jan. 1, DPS has reported 28 larcenies in the university area, according to DPS crime logs. Many of the larcenies have occurred in buildings on University Place, Crouse Drive, College Place, University Avenue, Waverly Avenue, Marshall Street, Sims Drive and Stadium Place.
There have been no new developments or arrests since a larceny in Eggers Hall was reported during the weekend, said Jenn Horvath, public information officer for DPS, who referred to the increase in larcenies as ‘rash.’ More larcenies were reported on DPS crime logs since Friday.
The Syracuse Police Department has been alerted of some of the incidents as well.
Camera footage is being examined to help the investigations, Horvath said. But even though cameras were in the areas of the crimes, Horvath said not all images are reliable because some cameras were facing the wrong angle or did not capture the image best.
‘Cameras are only so good,’ Horvath said.
Of the six larceny cases from the Main Campus area filed so far in February, four are still open. Thirteen of the 17 cases from the Main Campus area filed in January are still open.
Several larcenies have also occurred on South Campus and the off-campus area this semester, according to DPS crime logs, but not to the same extent as on Main Campus.
There have been similarities in the various cases, but officers do not know if one person is behind multiple larcenies, Horvath said. In Friday’s Eggers Hall larceny, a MacBook was stolen when it was left unattended for about 10 minutes in a basement study area for graduate students. In a Sims Hall larceny from Feb. 1, a wallet was stolen from an unattended purse. E.S. Bird Library and Huntington Hall have also been the scenes of recent larcenies.
Because of the rash of larcenies on campus, DPS has stepped up area patrols, Horvath said. Officers are also reminding those in the campus community to watch belongings, as leaving items unattended has been a common trait for several of the larcenies.
Published on February 8, 2011 at 12:00 pm
Contact Dara: dkmcbrid@syr.edu | @daramcbride
