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Crime Advisory: Theft from Motor Vehicles – 08/27/14

At approximately 1:30 a.m. – 2:00 a.m. on the morning of August 27, 2014, DPS officers discovered three motor vehicles had been broken into along the south edge of campus in the Residence South Lot (Lot B) and along Butler Place.

No suspect information is available at this time.

 

You can help prevent crime at Augsburg:

-Lock your Doors and Roll up your Windows – This is your first line of defense.  Even if you are only going to be gone for a minute, use the locks and make sure your car is “closed.”

-Do not Leave Valuables in Sight or in the Car – Do not leave your phone, GPS, or other attractive devices in the vehicle

-Park where your Vehicle is Visible – Park in well-lighted, well-trafficked areas

-Stash before, not after, you Park – Stow any belongings before you park and someone can see you put away your belongings

-Use a Detachable Stereo Face – if you’re not sticking with the original sound system, use a detachable face.

-Do not Leave Extra Keys in your Vehicle

Mustafa Family Crime Ring Indicted

On August 12, 2014, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota announced that it had indicted the Mustafa Family Crime Ring.  In addition to the U.S. Attorney’s press release, multiple media outlets, including Fox 9, the Star Tribune, the Pioneer Press, and MPR, among many others, reported the indictment that involved an Apple Valley based crime ring.

According to the U.S. Attorney, the Mustafa Family Crime Ring stole identities to defraud phone companies and used 13 stores across the twin cities to sell fraudulently obtained phone accounts at deeply discounted prices.  The Crime ring also used robbery of phones, commonly known as “apple picking.”  MPR reported on the twin cities wide uptick in robbery of cell phones during the past year.  The rise in robbery of cell phones coincided with the Crime Ring’s conspiracy to obtain cell phones through direct theft and robbery.

According to Fox 9, he University of Minnesota Police were also involved in the investigation, “Police Chief Greg Hestness said the takedown of Mustafa family attacked the root of last fall’s campus crime wave.”

 

You Can Help Prevent Crime at Augsburg!

-Trust Your Instincts – If you sense trouble, get away

-Be Observant and Aware – Remain alert, be aware of your surroundings, observe the other people around you.  Know who is around you.  Be alert for suspicious behavior (e.g. a person wearing a long coat in the middle of summer, loitering, etc.)

-Walk Confidently and Do Not Make Yourself a Target – Robbers are looking for an easy target.  Keep your head up and eyes alert and walk at a steady pace.  Do not walk while looking at you phone and avoid carrying lots of packages or other belongings.

-If You are Robbed – Stay calm and remember: safety first!  Follow the robber’s directions, but do not volunteer more than asked for.  If you have to move, tell the robber what you are doing and why.  Try to get a good look at the robber so you can describe him/her later.  Give the robber time to leave and note the direction he/she travels.

-After a Robbery – CALL DPS OR THE POLICE IMMEDIATELY.  Avoid touching anything the robber has touched.  Try to recall as you can about the robber including speech and mannerisms.

-Notify DPS of any suspicious activity right away

 

FRESHMEN MOVE-IN PARKING AND TRAFFIC NOTICE

DATE: Friday, August 29 to Saturday, August 30

TIME: 10:00 p.m. (8/29) – 5:00 p.m. (8/30)

WHERE:  Lots: A, B, C, D & E & Streets: 8th St. S, 7th St. S., 21st Ave. S., 22nd Ave. S., 23rd Ave. S., Butler Pl.

Please check the Augsburg Map to see which lots are affected if you are not sure.

WHAT: Parking and traffic will be restricted on the above streets and reserved for freshmen moving into Urness.  Vehicles not moved by 9:59 p.m. on August 29 from any restricted Augsburg lot will be towed at the owner’s expense.  City streets are also subject to ticket and tow—check signage!

Those displaced by Freshmen Move-In may park in Lots G or L during this time.  Traffic flow will also be restricted around the park and dorms, so please plan accordingly.

Check the DPS website for updated information.

Motor Vehicle Theft – Aug. 9, 2014

DPS received a report that a student’s vehicle was stolen from Lot G (the faculty/staff lot near 21st Ave. S. and 6th St. S.) The student had parked at approximately 9:00 p.m. on August 8, 2014 and found the car missing at approximately 7:15 a.m. on August 9, 2014. The vehicle was found in Minneapolis and recovered by the police.

No suspect information is available at this time.

2014 City of Minneapolis Sewer Smoke Testing

During late summer and early fall 2014, the City of Minneapolis will be conducting smoke testings of the city sewers to look for leaks, cracks, or faulty connections.  As a result, we may see white smoke coming from sewer and plumbing.  Below is the posting from the City of Minneapolis’ website.

If you would like more information, please visit the city’s Sewer Smoke Testing website.

 

NOTICE FROM THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS WEBSITE:

(The following text was prepared by and taken from the City of Minneapolis and is being provided only to relay the information to the Augsburg community.)

2014 Smoke Testing

Project Type:

Smoke testing helps us to find cracks, leaks or faulty connections that allow rainwater into the sanitary sewer system. These rainwater connections can overwhelm the sewer system during larger storm events and can cause Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) to the Mississippi River. The smoke testing project is a part of the City’s CSO Program which includes sanitary sewer repairs and upgrades aimed at eliminating CSO. Although the City has significantly reduced the occurrence of CSO more progress is needed to comply with the Federal Clean Water Act and to avoid fines and or additional surcharges for wastewater treatment.

Smoke testing Fact Sheet

Smoke testing Questions & Answers

Project Limits:

See detailed map.

Duration of Construction:

Testing will be completed in various locations between the months of April and November. Each smoke test will last approximately 30 minutes.

Traffic Impact:
Traffic impact should be minor. We anticipate that there will be short-term lane closures and some parking restrictions.

Construction Start Date:

Not known at this time.

Contact: Kelly MacIntyre 612-673-3626
Project Updates:
Look for updates here.

Burglary/Computer Theft

Crime Alert July 24, 2014: Burglary/Theft

At approximately 11:30 a.m. on July 24, 2014, a suspect stole a laptop from a professor’s office in Science. The suspect was a young, African-American male in his late teens or early 20s. He was wearing a red Chicago Bulls hat with a white bill, a long white t-shirt, and dark jeans. The suspect was also likely wearing an orthopedic boot on his left leg and walked with a limp. The suspect arrived and left in a light blue Rainbow Taxi. The professor was gone from the office for only about 30 seconds.

Crime Alert July 27, 2014: Burglary/Theft

At approximately 8:30 a.m. on July 27, 2014, a suspect stole a computer from a study lounge in Kennedy. The suspect was an African-American male in his mid-to-late 20s with a bald head. He was wearing a long, black t-shirt and dark jeans. He concealed the computer by removing his t-shirt and carried it out while wearing a white, sleeveless undershirt.

Crime Alert July 27, 2014: Burglary/Theft

At approximately 1:15 p.m. on July 27, 2014, a suspect stole an iMac computer from an office suite in Kennedy. There were 2 suspects who were young, African-American males in their early 20s. One male was wearing a “fishing hat,” a grey t-shirt, and dark jeans. The other was wearing a dark baseball cap, a long, button-down dark shirt, and dark jeans. He removed the long sleeved shirt to conceal the computer on the way out.

You Can Help Prevent Crime at Augsburg!

  • Lock your Doors – even if you will only be gone for a minute, lock your doors
  • Keep Valuables out of Sight and Secure them – use locked drawers or cabinets
  • Do Not Leave Valuables Unattended
  • Secure Valuables – Do not leave your purchase cards, credit cards, cash unattended in your office unless there is a safe or vault—especially overnight or on weekends
  • Do Not Bring an Excessive Amount of Cash to Work or Other Unnecessary Items
  • Keep Track of Serial Numbers or Other Identifying Information
  • Report Suspicious People and/or Activity to DPS Immediately
  • If you are the Victim of Theft – report the incident to DPS immediately

Crime Alert – July 16th – Robbery

Public Safety was notified at 4:37 PM on July 15th of a robbery that occurred on the footbridge across I-94, south of Murphy Park.  The victim was walking alone and was walking south across the footbridge when he was confronted by 3 male suspects.  One suspect punched the victim twice in the head while the other 2 suspects pulled him to the ground.  No weapons were reported.  The suspects took items from the victim’s pockets and took his backpack.

All 3 suspects are described as tall, thin African American males with medium complexion.  One of the suspects wore a grey hoodie and another suspect wore a red baseball cap.

You Can Help Prevent Crime at Augsburg!

-Trust Your Instincts – If you sense trouble, get away
-Be Observant and Aware – Remain alert, be aware of your surroundings, observe the other people around you.  Know who is around you.  Be alert for suspicious behavior (e.g. a person wearing a long coat in the middle of summer, loitering, etc.)
-Walk Confidently and Do Not Make Yourself a Target – Robbers are looking for an easy target.  Keep your head up and eyes alert and walk at a steady pace.  Do not walk while looking at you phone and avoid carrying lots of packages or other belongings.
-If You are Robbed – Stay calm and remember: safety first!  Follow the robber’s directions, but do not volunteer more than asked for.  If you have to move, tell the robber what you are doing and why.  Try to get a good look at the robber so you can describe him/her later.  Give the robber time to leave and note the direction he/she travels.
-After a Robbery – CALL DPS OR THE POLICE IMMEDIATELY.  Avoid touching anything the robber has touched.  Try to recall as you can about the robber including speech and mannerisms.
-Notify DPS of any suspicious activity right away

Crime Alert June 28: Carjacking

Public Safety was notified at 4:15 AM of an incident of carjacking. Victim was in his vehicle leaving Taco Bell (20th Ave S and Minnehaha Ave) around 3:30 AM when 2 suspects got into his vehicle. Suspects stated they had a gun but did not display it. Suspects demanded money and that victim bring them to his home. Once they arrived at the residence (on-campus housing) the suspects took his keys and left, stealing the vehicle. Minneapolis Police were notified of this crime. Suspect description is below.  If you have any information about this crime, please report to Minneapolis Police 911.

Suspect 1 (claimed he had a gun under his shirt)

Black male between the ages of 21-27 weighing approximately 180-190 lbs and 5 feet 5 inches. Wearing white shirt, black cargo shorts and had a mustache and goatee. Suspect 2 referred to him as “Jamal”.

Suspect 2

Black male between the ages of 21-27 weighing approximately 165-180 lbs and 6 feet tall. He was wearing a plaid shirt, blue jeans; had curly black hair, a mustache and goatee. Suspect 1 referred to him as “Abdul”.

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You Can Help Prevent Crime at Augsburg!

  • Always lock your vehicle.
  • Make sure to place valuables out of site before you park. Keep them in the trunk or on your person.
  • Check on your vehicle often.
  • Keep your keys on your person at all times.
  • Immediately report any suspicious activity to the Minneapolis Police or Augsburg DPS.

DPS is Hiring Students Now!

If you are a fast-learner who likes to help people, and you want to earn money at an exciting job with great co-workers, you should apply to work for DPS!

DPS is hiring at least 8 students for two positions for the academic year 2014-2015, with training starting in August. Applications are open now and can be found at augsburg.edu/dps/work-public-safety or HR’s job listings.

Both Dispatcher and Patrol are great on-campus jobs with flexible hours, up to 20 a week. Fast-paced and high-responsibility, looks great on any resume. If you’re interested, email Janine Kellogg at borcharj@augsburg.edu or Hannah Youngquist at youngqui@augsburg.edu.

Faculty & staff – if you have any students you think would be a good applicant, please direct them to apply online and/or email their name to Janine or Hannah. Thanks!

Crime Alert – Robbery – June 24th

JUNE 26 2014: Off Campus Robbery

On Tuesday, June 24th at approximately 8:30 p.m., a robbery occurred on the I94 foot bridge just south of Butler Place and Murphy Park. The victim is not affiliated with Augsburg College.

According to Minneapolis Police the victim described the suspects as “2 African American males, and 2 African American females”. Suspects took a backpack, iPad, iPhone, and a wallet. Victim was treated for minor injuries. Anyone with information is asked to call the Minneapolis Police Tip Line at 612-692-8477 or submit an online tip via Minneapolis Police website below http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/police/report/index.htm

Crime prevention and Safety tips can be found on the Augsburg – Public Safety website Crime Prevention page.

Safety Tips:

*Avoid walking alone at night.
*Keep valuables out of sight.
*Be aware of your surroundings and minimize distractions (ear buds, texting).
*Public Safety escorts are available to approved escort locations from dusk until dawn. Walking escorts to and from on-campus locations are available 24/7
*Report suspicious activity to Public Safety at 612-330-1717 or Minneapolis Police 911