Purdue Armory reopened after police investigate suspicious package

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: Be cautious in construction areas

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (Lafayette Online) — The Purdue Police Department reminds faculty and staff to be cautious and obey all stop signs and traffic control devices on the West Lafayette campus, particularly along Harrison Street between South Russell Drive and South Martin Jischke Drive.

Due to construction in the area, traffic has been realigned and lanes have been narrowed along Harrison Street.

The Police Department has noticed an increase in the number of vehicles ignoring the stop signs and traffic control devices in that area, increasing the chances for a serious accident. To help with safety, the police will be aggressively patrolling the area throughout the coming weeks.

Police beefing up presence for Purdue Grand Prix weekend

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University police are gearing up for the big weekend on campus by providing extra officers at different events throughout the week.

The Purdue Grand Prix and the Purdue Black & Gold spring football game are scheduled for Saturday (April 19), and events such as a concert on Wednesday (April 16) and a concert/carnival on Friday (April 18) also are taking place.

Additional Purdue police officers will be on duty at several different Grand Prix-related events. West Lafayette and Indiana State excise police will work in cooperation with Purdue’s department over the weekend, said Purdue police Capt. John Cox.

“It will be an exciting weekend at Purdue, and we want those who are on campus to have fun. But we want them to do so responsibly, safely and without creating problems for those around them,” Cox said. “The weather forecast is for a nice weekend, so we expect a large number of people on campus. We want to help provide for a safe and enjoyable atmosphere.”

Cox said excise police will focus on all areas where underage drinking might be taking place.

Purdue’s police will have security at many campus events, said Purdue police Lt. Kevin Booker.

“Our main concern is safety,” he said. “We’ll have some activities going on at the same time on Saturday, and we will have a presence at those events.”

This year’s 51st annual Purdue Grand Prix, a 160-lap kart race featuring 33 Purdue student drivers, is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Saturday (April 19) on the track north of Ross-Ade Stadium. Pits open to the public from 9-10 a.m., and track seating opens at 10 a.m. Practice is from 10:10-11 a.m., and heat races start at 11:20 a.m. leading up to the main race.

Purdue’s Black & Gold spring football game starts at noon Saturday and is preceded by the Family Fun Fest from 9:30-11 a.m. at the Ross-Ade Stadium.

Last year, police agencies working in cooperation, made a total of 142 arrests during Grand Prix weekend.

Police release sketches of suspects in attempted computer theft at Meredith Hall

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University police have released composite images of two suspects being sought in connection with the attempted theft of two laptop computers from a room in Meredith Residence Hall on Friday (April 11).

According to police, a student walked into her room on the second floor shortly before 3 p.m. to find two men there. One of them was carrying a dark-colored duffle bag, Purdue police Lt. Fred Davis said. She confronted the men and pulled the two laptops from the bag.

The men immediately ran from the room and were seen leaving Meredith Hall on foot, Davis said.

Both men were described as being college-aged. One was about 6 feet to 6 feet 2 inches tall, with shoulder-length braided hair. He was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, baggy jeans and was carrying the duffle bag. The other man was described as approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall, with a heavy build. He was dressed in all black and was wearing a black baseball cap.

“It’s important for residents to remember to lock their rooms when they are leaving - no matter for how long,” Davis said. “A locked door protects your personal property and provides the added security of knowing that you will be returning to a room that doesn’t have unwanted visitors inside.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Purdue Police Department at (765) 494-8221 or call the department’s anonymous tip line at (765) 496-3784.

PUPD investigate reports of man peering into women’s rooms

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue University police are investigating several reports of a man looking into first-floor windows of women’s rooms in Owen Residence Hall on Tuesday (Jan 29) night.

According to a police report, at least six students saw a man looking in their windows. He was described as approximately 50 years old, 6 feet 2 inches tall, with a medium build and wearing a tan jacket and either faded blue jeans or khaki pants. The incidents were reported at 8:14 p.m.

In two of the instances, the man stood directly in front of the window and grinned and waved when he was seen, according to the report. In another instance, a student saw the man looking into the window of another room on the other side of the courtyard. She reported that she left her room and came back to see the man looking in her window. The first-floor room windows are just above ground level.

Witnesses noticed a blue minivan with a white or tan strip down the side that was possibly an early 1990s Ford Aerostar parked near the loading dock of Owen Hall.

“The man was seen in that area, but we don’t know whether the van is connected with the incidents,” said Lt. Fred Davis. “Anyone who had a similar experience or saw anything that might help us find this person should call the department.”

The Purdue Police Department number is (765) 494-8221. The department also has an anonymous tipline at (765) 496-3784.

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