Crime
We moved Boulder Crime News and police blotter out of News and made it a primary category. Even though crime news is the highest in analytic s some readers complain because it ruins non violent news. Our readers and viewers prefer science, tech environmental and entertainment news. So crime news junkies now have your own bad news section here.
CU police: Rash of thefts plague campus
Oct 22nd
The University of Colorado Police Department has received reports of a high number of thefts during the month of October. Since Oct. 2, UCPD has recorded 15 cases of a suspect or suspects stealing laptops and wallets from common areas or unlocked offices. The thief has targeted academic building offices, as well as the University Memorial Center. The following buildings have seen thefts in recent weeks: Benson Earth Sciences, Continuing Education, Engineering Center, Environmental Design, Imig Music, Koelbel Building, Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, University Theatre, Visual Arts Complex and Woodbury Arts and Sciences. For a Google Map with dates, locations and stolen items, see http://bit.ly/Oct2012CUthefts.
From Oct. 1-18 this year, UCPD has recorded 86 stolen pieces of property. During that same period last year, 68 items were stolen. CU Police have also seen a higher number of bike thefts in recent weeks. In nearly all cases, thieves have cut cable locks.
“Officers will be increasing their presence around bike racks and academic buildings, but we need the public’s help, too,” said CU Police spokesman Ryan Huff. “These are crimes of opportunity. Leaving your valuable items unattended or unprotected makes you a target for theft.”
The Police Department offers the following safety tips:
- Always keep your office locked when unattended. That includes when leaving for lunch or using the restroom.
- In common areas, such as dining facilities, libraries or the University Memorial Center, never leave laptops, mobile phones or other valuable items unattended.
- Record serial numbers of bikes, desktop computers, laptops, mobile phones and other items that could be stolen. If these items are recovered, it is easier to return them to you.
- Register your bike at the CU Bike Stations – east of the UMC or west of the Engineering Center. Register your laptop at the Telecommunications Center, also east of the UMC.
- For more crime prevention tips, see http://police.colorado.edu/crime-prevention-and-safety
Boulder police: FirstBank branch robbed
Oct 19th
Boulder police are looking for a white or Hispanic male in connection with a bank robbery that occurred at a branch of FirstBank at 9:10 a.m. FirstBank is located at 4520 Broadway.
Witnesses told police the man entered the bank, approached a teller and handed over a note demanding money. The teller complied and the suspect fled the bank. He was last seen heading eastbound on foot. No one was injured. The suspect stole an undisclosed amount of cash.
Surveillance photos are attached. The suspect is described as:
- White or Hispanic male
- 25-to-30 years old
- Tall
- Large build with a round/full face
- Wearing a blue fleece sweatshirt, blue jeans and a white, British driving-style cap
- Large mirror sunglasses
- Wearing a nasal strip across his nose
The case number is 12-14363.
Anyone with information about the robbery or who recognizes the suspect is asked to contact Boulder Police Detective Brian Scott at 303-441-3381. Those who have information but wish to remain anonymous may contact the Northern Colorado Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or 1-800-444-3776. Tips can also be submitted through the Crime Stoppers website at www.crimeshurt.com. Those submitting tips through Crime Stoppers that lead to the arrest and filing of charges on a suspect(s) may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000 from Crime Stoppers.
CU to host workshop on student identity theft Oct. 10
Oct 4th
The University of Colorado Boulder will hold a student workshop with help from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation on the prevention of identity theft in the college-age population on Oct. 10.
The workshop, hosted by CU Money Sense, is open to all CU-Boulder students and will be held in University Memorial Center room 245 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Students planning to attend should email CUmoneysense@colorado.edu.
Colorado consistently ranks in the top 15 states for identity theft and fraud, with several Colorado cities ranking in the top 10 cities in the nation, according to Erin Foster, communication specialist with CU Money Sense, CU-Boulder’s financial education program for students.
“Our guest speaker from CBI will talk about the real-life impact that identity theft can have on students’ lives,” said Foster. “We want to heighten student awareness about this issue.”
Hazel Heckers of CBI will discuss why students are particularly appealing to identity thieves and what they can do to protect themselves.
Other upcoming CU Money Sense events include:
- “Check Your Credit Report – Drop-in Help from CU Money Sense,” Wednesday, Oct. 17, noon. Email to make an appointment at CUmoneysense@colorado.edu.
- “Living Off-Campus – Everything First-timers Need to Know,” Jan. 24 (time and location to be determined).
- “How to Apply for Financial Aid” (time, date and location to be determined).
For more information about CU Money Sense visit http://bursar.colorado.edu/cumoneysense/.
