WSPD, WFU Police Departments Investigating Area Break-ins

The Office of Communications and External Relations shared the following news release with the Parent Programs office today.

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Winston-Salem, NC, Jan. 17, 2012 – The Winston-Salem and Wake Forest University police departments are investigating a series of break-ins that occurred in the neighborhoods near the University during the winter break.  Thieves broke into houses rented by Wake Forest students in many cases, stealing electronics and other items.  Cars left behind by students were also targeted, but all have been recovered.

The Winston-Salem Police Department has charged four people in recent neighborhood thefts.  More arrests are expected.

Prompting the intensive investigation is, in part, a series of break-ins that began Dec. 19 and continued throughout the rest of the month at houses on Polo Road and many nearby streets at University-owned and privately-owned houses with Wake Forest students as residents.  Twenty-six house break-ins affecting students occurred during the fall semester and winter break, with most occurring during the break. Police are also investigating other nearby break-ins that affected local residents, including a University staff member.

Items taken varied, but often included such electronics as flat-screen TVs, as well as jewelry, clothing and more.  Thieves took three student-owned cars and attempted to steal another.  Some property, including all of the cars, has been recovered as police make arrests and continue the investigation.

The University Police Department assisted Winston-Salem investigators in a number of ways, including by contacting students whose houses were burglarized and patrolling the areas next to campus affected by the break-ins.  Campus police will continue assisting in the investigation, as appropriate.

Also during the winter break, the University e-mailed information about the break-ins to students who rent houses off-campus, including University-owned and privately-owned residences.

As students return for the spring semester, University Police is asking students—those living on and off campus—to take note of anything unusual in their residences, such as missing, moved or damaged property, and unlocked doors and windows.

If something seems out of the ordinary, University Police recommends that on-campus resident call that department at 758-5591 and off-campus residents call the Winston-Salem Police Department at 911 or 773-7700.

In addition, University Police recommends notifying authorities if they see suspicious activities.

“Day or night, we recommend that students be aware of their surroundings,” University Police Chief Regina Lawson said.  “Report suspicious behavior, unusual vehicles, out-of-the ordinary activities.”

Depending on the circumstances, such activities may include a person asking for money for a questionable cause or asking for directions while claiming to be lost.

When making a report to police, Lawson recommends trying to provide detailed descriptions of suspicious persons or automobiles (including license plate numbers).

Lawson also suggests that students living on or off campus register the serial numbers of electronic items they have with them at Wake Forest.  To register the property online, students should use this online form.  Having a record of such items increases the likelihood of recovering stolen property.  It also assists with prosecution of those arrested for theft.