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Purdue police arrest Hinsdale, IL man for alleged theft

admin — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 17:46:24 +0000

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue police arrested a man on Thursday (Sept. 10) in connection with the alleged theft of nearly $3,000 worth of items from a house on Russell Street shared by three university students.

Timothy Leung, 20, a sophomore in the College of Technology from Hinsdale, Ill., was charged with felony burglary and theft after his arrest late Thursday afternoon.

According to a report, the roommates called police on Tuesday (Sept. 8) evening after noticing several CDs, DVDs, a guitar and electronics equipment were missing.

The roommates later discovered that someone was trying to sell items similar to those taken from their house. Police arranged to meet the seller to buy a guitar. According to a police report, Leung was arrested after arriving at the location with the guitar that was allegedly stolen. Police later obtained a warrant to search Leung’s residence at 854 Rose St. in West Lafayette and discovered numerous items believed to be among those stolen, said Purdue police Lt. Fred Davis.

Burglary is a Class B felony and is punishable by a maximum fine of $10,000 and up to 20 years in prison. Theft is a Class D felony, punishable by up to a $10,000 fine and a maximum three years in prison.

West Lafayette man charged with injuring infant

admin — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 04:53:32 +0000

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University police arrested a West Lafayette man early Tuesday (Sept. 1) after he allegedly injured an 11-month-old girl in the Purdue Village Apartment Complex hours earlier.

Eric M. Ellis, 19, was charged with battery resulting in bodily injury to a person younger than 14 years old and neglect of a dependent resulting in bodily injuries. Ellis, who is not a Purdue student, lives at the apartment with his fiancé, who is the girl’s mother.

According to a police report, Ellis had been babysitting for the child while her mother was attending classes on Monday (Aug. 31). Ellis reportedly sent a text message at about 6:00p to the woman telling her that her child was injured. When the mother arrived home, the couple took her to Home Hospital in Lafayette.

The child’s injuries were not life threatening, but police and Child Protective Services were called to the hospital, Purdue police Sgt. Carrie Costello said.

Battery resulting in bodily injury to a person younger than 14 is a Class D felony, punishable by a maximum three years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. Neglect of a dependent resulting in bodily injury is a Class C felony, punishable by up to eight years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Purdue police investigate laptop computer thefts

admin — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 21:32:50 +0000

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University police are investigating the theft of seven laptops from a Stewart Center computer store during the weekend.

The computers were taken from the Information Technology at Purdue (ITaP) Offline Shopping Center in Stewart Center. The center is a vendor showcase where customers can examine the latest computer equipment.

The computers were taken from the Information Technology at Purdue (ITaP) Offline Shopping Center in Stewart Center, Room G65, sometime after 6:00p Saturday (July 18) and before 10:30a Sunday (July 19), said Purdue police Lt. Fred Davis. The center is a vendor showcase where customers can examine the latest computer equipment.

One of the door’s glass window panes was pried loose, and a note saying “sorry” was left on the wall.

The stolen laptops include a black Dell Latitude D 430 laptop, a red Dell XPS M1330 laptop, a white MacBook laptop, a black Apple MacBook Pro laptop, black Dell Latitude 6500 laptop, a black Dell Latitude 6400 and a silver MacBook Air laptop. The missing computers are valued at $9,965.

Anyone with information can contact the Purdue Police Department at (765) 494-8221 or the anonymous tip line at (765) 496-3784.

Man arrested for attempting to steal dog sculpture; police recover 1 previously taken

admin — Mon, 11 May 2009 13:15:09 +0000

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University police on Sunday (May 10) arrested a man on several charges, including the attempted theft of a dog sculpture that is part of the Dog Days of Summer community art project. Police also recovered one of two sculptures previously reported stolen.

Adam Sachs, 20, a sophomore in the College of Engineering from St. Louis, was taken to Tippecanoe County Jail on preliminary charges of public intoxication, consumption of alcohol by a minor, criminal mischief and attempted theft.

According to a police report, an officer saw Sachs shortly before 3:30 a.m. attempting to steal the dog sculpture “El Perro” that was located on campus near the intersection of Grant Street and Northwestern Avenue. Sachs was carrying a toolbox with him when he was arrested, according to the report. The statue was not damaged.

In addition to Sunday’s attempted theft, two of the 41 dog sculptures decorated by area artists as part of the art project were stolen late Friday (May 8) or early Saturday (May 9). Police do not believe Sachs was involved in the previous thefts.

On Sunday afternoon, police recovered one of those sculptures – “Give a Dog a Bone, an X-RAY View” by artist Liz Rainey. A passerby called police after spotting the artwork behind foliage outside the Purdue School of Veterinary Medicine’s Lynn Hall, near the location from which the dog was originally taken. Nicknamed “Oliver” by students, the sculpture was sponsored through contributions from students, faculty and staff in honor of the School of Veterinary Medicine’s 50th anniversary.

“It’s great that Oliver has been recovered,” said Kevin Doerr, the School of Veterinary Medicine’s director of alumni relations and public affairs. “Everyone loved this beautifully painted dog, and having it back safely at the school is a tremendous encouragement. It appears to be in excellent condition except for the leg that was broken by the person who removed the sculpture from its mounting location.”

Police are still attempting to find the final missing dog. “Alfie the Alpha Dog,” decorated by artist Janet Combs Ivas, was taken from the Northwestern Avenue side of the West Lafayette Public Library.

Doerr said a reward of up to $250 was being offered for its safe return.

Anyone with information related to the thefts is asked to contact Purdue police at 765-494-8221 or the anonymous tip line at 765-496-3784.

The School of Veterinary Medicine and the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette partnered on the project that placed decorated life-size dog statues throughout Lafayette and West Lafayette.

In addition to celebrating the 50th anniversary of the school, the project also is a tribute to the 100th anniversary of the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette and benefits both equally. The Dog Days of Summer builds upon previous sculpture projects in the community: Hog Wild in 2003 and Frog Follies in 2005. This new project was inspired by the School of Veterinary Medicine’s outdoor sculpture “Continuum” by Larry Anderson, which features a dog as part of its array of people and animals in a depiction of the enduring human-animal bond.

Artists from Indiana and other areas were recruited to decorate three-dimensional dog forms. Corporations, business owners, veterinarians and individuals have sponsored the individual dogs.

Proceeds from the project will benefit the School of Veterinary Medicine’s 50th Anniversary Scholarship Endowment and its Good Samaritan Fund, and the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette’s art education programs.

Man arrested in connection with battery at Hilltop Apartments

admin — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 18:48:25 +0000

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue police on Monday (March 30) arrested a man on suspicion of beating a female university student on Sunday (March 29) at Hilltop Apartments.

Minwoo Oh, 25, of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, was arrested on preliminary charges of strangulation, battery causing serious bodily injury and confinement while armed. He was taken to Tippecanoe County Jail where he was being held on a $25,000 bond. Oh is not a Purdue student.

Purdue police Lt. Fred Davis said Oh’s girlfriend was a roommate of the victim.

According to a police report, Oh’s girlfriend left the apartment to work on a class project around 3 p.m. Sunday. After she left, Oh allegedly put a knife to her roommate’s throat, then threw down the knife and began hitting her.

After the incident, the victim sought treatment at the Purdue Student Health Center, and center staff contacted police. The woman was later admitted to Home Hospital for additional treatment of neck injuries and facial bruises and abrasions, Davis said.

Officers arrested Oh at around 3 p.m. Monday (March 30) when he returned to the Hilltop Apartments. Police later recovered the knife thought to be used in the attack.

Confinement while armed is a Class B felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison, battery causing serious bodily injury is a Class C felony punishable up to eight years in prison and strangulation is a Class D felony that carries a maximum prison term of three years. All three felonies also carry a fine of up to $10,000 each.

Traffic offense leads to alcohol, drug charges for Logansport man

admin — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 02:40:56 +0000

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — A Logansport man stopped for driving the wrong way on a one-way street early Sunday (Feb. 15) is facing alcohol and drug-related charges.

Thomas S. Vernon, 23, has been charged with operating while intoxicated, dealing in marijuana, possession of marijuana and maintaining a common nuisance. He is not a Purdue student.

According to a report, Purdue police patrol officer Travis Neal saw Vernon turn east from Grant Street onto State Street around 3:45 a.m. Sunday. At that location, Grant Street is open only to westbound traffic. Vernon was stopped for driving the wrong way, and he was initially arrested for suspicion of drunken driving.

One small bag of marijuana was later found in Vernon’s shoe, said Purdue police detective Sgt. Carrie Costello. Two additional bags of marijuana were discovered in the trunk of his 1998 Chevrolet Blazer, she said. The bags contained a total of about three pounds of marijuana, according to the police report. A person in possession of more than 30 grams of marijuana or allegedly selling it can be charged with dealing.

Three of the charges – the dealing and possession of marijuana charges and maintaining a common nuisance – are Class D felonies punishable by up to three years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000.

Purdue Armory reopened after police investigate suspicious package

admin — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:13:24 +0000

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Purdue Armory was evacuated for about 90 minutes Monday morning (Nov. 17) after university police evacuated the facility when a suspicious container was found on the building’s north side.

Police evacuated the Armory and closed off northbound University Street at Third Street shortly after the call came in at about 8:45 a.m. Purdue police Lt. Mike Boesch said approximately 100-150 people were evacuated. Both University Street and the Armory were reopened about 10:15 a.m.

Boesch said that at about 8:45 a.m. a groundskeeper found the small, military ammunition-type box atop a plastic toolbox near a bush on the north side of the Armory. The box was about 6 inches wide, 12 inches long and 8 inches tall. The groundskeeper opened the box, which contained black powder and other commonly available reloading supplies for a muzzleloading-type gun.

The Tippecanoe County Sheriff’s Department bomb squad took the package from the scene, and Purdue police continue to investigate the incident.

Purdue police seek information on stolen electric power cable

admin — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 01:47:00 +0000

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University police are investigating the theft of about $15,000 worth of copper electric power cable from a storage compound near the Physical Facilities Service Building off Ahlers Drive.

Purdue police Lt. Fred Davis said approximately 2,500 feet of coiled electric power cable was taken sometime between Wednesday (Oct. 29) evening and early Thursday (Oct. 30) morning. About 50 rolls of black plastic-coated cable, each weighing 40-50 pounds and 50 feet in length, were taken from storage containers at the compound, he said.

The theft was reported to police at about 10 a.m. Thursday after employees of the high-voltage electric shop noticed that a storage container was missing its padlock, and the door was open.

Theft is a Class D felony punishable by up to three years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000.

Anyone with information related to the case is asked to call the Purdue Police Department at (765) 494-8221 or the anonymous tipline at (765) 496-3784.

Purdue police seek suspect in attempted fraternity house burglary

admin — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 19:55:51 +0000

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University police are seeking a man in connection with a Thursday (June 12) morning attempted burglary at the Zeta Psi fraternity house, 950 David Ross Road.

The attempt is the second such incident reported in the last two days. Police investigated a burglary reported about 8:45 a.m. Wednesday (June 11) at the Alpha Kappa Lambda fraternity house at 417 Waldron St.

PUPD composite sketch of suspect

A man was confronted in the houses in both incidents, said Purdue Police Lt. Fred Davis. However, the suspect descriptions vary slightly.

In Thursday’s attempted burglary, a resident was preparing to leave for work around 5:30 a.m. and met a stranger in the hallway, according to a police report. The resident told police the man said he was looking for someone in the house. The man left the building through the front door, and the resident followed him and noticed a large blue duffel bag at the top of the stairs.

“The bag contained tools that the resident believes belong to the fraternity,” Davis said. “The resident looked around the house and didn’t notice anything else missing.”

PUPD composite sketch of suspect in attempted burglary at Alpha Kappa Lamda

The suspect is described as a bald white male in his late 20s, about 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing approximately 210-220 pounds. He was wearing a gray T-shirt and jean shorts, and drove away in a gray or light blue, possibly early 1990s, mid-sized van with two windows on the passenger side and double doors in the back, Davis said.

In Wednesday’s burglary at the Alpha Kappa Lambda fraternity house, a witness reported seeing an unknown man in the house around 8:40 a.m. Sometime after the man left, residents noticed several items – including a camera, a watch and a jar of change – were missing from their rooms. The suspect was described as a white, balding male with a goatee, 30-40 years old, about 6 feet tall and weighing approximately 200 pounds. He was wearing a blue button-up, collared shirt and khaki shorts and left in a blue woodgrain-patterned truck, Davis said.

Anyone with information about these cases or who has seen suspicious activity in the area is asked to contact the Purdue Police Department at (765) 494-8221 or the anonymous tip line at (765) 496-3784.

Purdue police warn of break-in on Russell Street

admin — Thu, 29 May 2008 02:52:53 +0000

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University Police are investigating a break-in that occurred Wednesday morning at 130 Russell St., West Lafayette

A male resident of the house told police he was awakened by the handle to his room door being jiggled, said interim Police Chief John Cox. The resident got up to see who was at the door and reportedly saw a white male walking down the hallway trying to open doors to other rooms.

The suspect reportedly saw the resident and fled from the house to the parking lot where he got into a white late 1990s model mid-size pickup truck with a black stripe or design on the side and drove away.

The suspect was described as 30 to 40 years of age, about 6′ 3″ to 6′4″ tall, with a shaved head. The resident also stated the suspect had a muscular build and was wearing a blue sweatshirt.

“Even though school is not in session, residents are reminded to keep their doors and belongings secured,” Cox said. “Incidents like this occur year round in and around campus. Students, staff and visitors are reminded to continue to stay vigilant and report all crimes and suspicious behavior to the police department.”

Anyone with information on this incident, is asked to contact the Purdue University Police Department at 765-494-8221.

Lafayette Online » pupd

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