Four burglaries took place in Seneca Hall from Jan. 24 to Jan. 31 involving the theft of items such as purses, money and food, which has sparked an ongoing investigation, according to University Police.
“We are investigating these incidents as being related because the facts of the cases show a distinct pattern connecting the burglaries,” University Police Chief John Rossi said.
The first incident was reported on Jan. 24, when a female student reported food, $56 and three notebooks stolen from her room on the ninth floor while she was sleeping at night.
On Jan. 26, it was reported that two females woke up in the middle of the night to a shirtless male going through their closet on the 10th floor. After making eye contact, he said, “I’m in the wrong room” and left in a rush. The individual was described as 5 feet 8 inches tall with light hair and no facial hair.
“The victim was not aware her wallet was stolen at this point,” Rossi said.
According to University Police, a resident assistant found a wallet belonging to one of the females in the 10th floor men’s bathroom.
On Jan. 29, a female resident from the third floor reported a white and brown wallet was stolen during a fire drill. The wallet contained $40 and various debit and credit cards as well as the resident’s New York State licenses.
According to witnesses, a 6-foot-2-inch tall male with brown hair, average weight and wearing a red plaid shirt was seen in the area as the fire alarm was activated.
Despite differences in the suspect descriptions, University Police plans to look into these cases being related since they all involved female rooms with unlocked doors in the same residence hall and occurred within a few days of each other.
During another fire alarm in the middle of the night on Jan. 30, a female’s wallet was stolen with $100 in it on the third floor.
According to University Police, it was later recovered in the in the fifth floor men’s bathroom without the $100.
In all four burglaries, the rooms that were broken into were unlocked.
An email was sent out to all Seneca Hall residents on Jan. 28 from Hall Director Marissa Bacon notifying residents of the recent incidents and encouraging them to make sure their doors are always locked.
In the email, Bacon attached a letter from University Police describing the suspect and reminding residents to report all suspicious persons.
“University Police would like to remind everyone to keep doors and windows locked,” the letter read.
“Report inoperable locks and latches to Residence Life maintenance personnel. Don’t compromise your safety for a roommate or friend who wants the door left unlocked. Report all suspicious persons, vehicles and activities to University Police immediately.”
Richard Kolenda, the associate vice president of Residence Life and Housing, stressed the importance of in-hall security.
“Students should always lock their doors, even while they are in their room,” Kolenda said. “Especially while they are sleeping.”
According to Rossi, all four cases remain open and the investigation into these incidents is still ongoing by University Police’s investigator Daniel May.
If anyone has tips or information related to these cases, they should contact University Police, Rossi said.
The Office of Residence Life and Housing plans to work closely with University Police.
“University Police conducts and directs the investigation,” Kolenda said. “Our department has and will continue to work closely with University Police on any investigation. Our staff will provide University Police with any information we uncover through our contact with students.”
