A plainclothes Public Safety officer apprehended one suspect Friday night in the ongoing investigation of widespread thefts on campus. This initial event ultimately led to the apprehension and identification of four suspects.
Public Safety Officer Steven LaBella was positioned behind the Nicolson dorms Friday night when he observed four males in the dark near a dorm room window. When they realized they had been spotted, the four men ran. Officer LaBella stopped one of the men, and Middletown Police caught another. The remaining two suspects fled, but were identified later. Before their capture, the suspects reportedly stole a laptop computer from a Foss Hill dorm room, which was later recovered.
According to Public Safety Director Maryann Wiggin, the suspects confessed to Friday night’s burglary, as well as an earlier burglary Wednesday night, but no other stolen property has been recovered as of yet.
“We believe these males are responsible for other thefts on campus,” Wiggin said. “The follow-up investigation by Public Safety and the Middletown Police Department is continuing.”
Public Safety determined that the suspects had entered the room through an unlocked window.
“The men tried to enter two more rooms, but were not able to because the windows were locked,” she said. “Public Safety would like to remind all students to lock their doors and windows and report all suspicious actions and persons to the Public Safety office.”
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