TTU students need secure their car radios after last week’s string of vehicle break-ins.
Five break-ins to student and faculty vehicles occurred last week with only high-end radios stolen from the vehicles. University Police are investigating these reports.
According to police reports, most of the incidents happen around the Murphy Hall parking lots with one occurring near Browning/Evins Hall. The radios ranged from $100 to $200.
“We’re increasing patrols in order to catch the thief or thieves responsible,” Gay Shepherd, Chief of the TTU Police Department, said in response to the thefts.
One police report mentioned an incident when Officer Michael Lambert was patrolling the residence halls on the Nov. 17. He noticed glass shards next to one the vehicles and, when he further investigated, he noticed the radio was missing and the glove box had been searched. The victim stated that nothing, besides the radio, was missing from the car.
Another person lost a radio because the rear door was unlocked. Another vehicle had been left behind Jobe Hall for the weekend when it was burglarized.
Vehicle owners need to take precautions to prevent breaking and entering from happening, such as hiding items in the trunk.
“I would recommend that vehicle owners with anything of value in them to remember to remove or hide them out of view,” said Shepherd. “Also, try remembering to take the radio faceplate off or cover it up.”
If you have information about any of these crimes or any others, call Crime Stoppers at 520-STOP (7867). Crime Stoppers pays up to a $1,000 reward for confidential information.