Vehicle break-ins, burglaries increase at CRC

There were four car break-ins at the Campus Recreation Center (CRC) parking deck and five thefts from lockers inside the CRC during January. Although 15 total vehicles were broken into during January, the number of auto break-ins is lower than last January when 38 cars were broken into. Carla Cook, Georgia Tech Police Department (GTPD) Public Safety Sergeant, said that the GTPD is concerned about the recent break-ins because there are not usually break-ins at the CRC parking deck.

There were only four break-ins all last year, compared to the four this month alone. The CRC parking deck is gated with an upper entrance on Ferst Street and a lower entrance facing Tech Parkway.

"They were just breaking the windows on most of them or they just pry the window back enough so they can unlock the door," Cook said. "Most of the [car break-ins] have been to get the detachable face radios. On a few they have been going after the factory radios."

Cook said that they are still in the process of trying to figure out whether the different incidents are linked. Cook said that break-ins can happen anytime, but that they are easier to spot at night.

"Break-ins can happen all day. During the day people are walking around and people can blend in and look like students. During the night [people breaking in] can be spotted pretty easily," Cook said.

"On two [of the locker thefts] they actually had locks on the locker, but when they came back their stuff was gone and the lock was intact. Otherwise people were leaving stuff on the ground or someone found the lock broken and items missing," Cook said.

In addition to locker room thefts, items have been stolen from the gym floor. "Entered autos and burglaries can easily be prevented or reduced by securing your valuables and by locking doors," Cook said.

There was also one man arrested at the CRC after he asked to take a shower because he was wanted by another department for failing to appear in court.

"Officers are patrolling the areas frequently and the campus is urged to contact us as soon as possible if they witness any suspicious activity," Cook said.