The following are among the incidents reported to University Police between Nov. 2 and 4.
Nov. 2
9:19 a.m.: Two faculty members reported that their private residence was burglarized and found that their UTRGV ID cards and a university-issued Surface Pro tablet were stolen. The tablet did not contain any personally identifiable student information. The estimated loss to the university is valued at $800. The McAllen Police Department is the primary investigating agency for this incident.
11:30 a.m.: A staff member reported accidentally shattering a window of an unattended vehicle while trimming grass in Lot E31. The owner, who is a current student, was contacted.
4:29 p.m.: An officer made contact with a suspicious man outside the University Center on the Edinburg campus. He was found to have an active warrant for his arrest from the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office for a probation violation regarding public intoxication with three prior convictions. He was found to have a lengthy criminal history and was issued a criminal trespass warning for all UTRGV property. He was subsequently transferred to custody of an HCSO deputy for the outstanding warrant.
11:07 p.m.: An officer was waved down at the Main Building by parents who were looking for their 21-year-old daughter who is a UTRGV student. Officers attempted to locate the student via social media and friends, but were unable to locate her. The parents were informed the incident would be documented and if the student is located, she would be advised to contact them. During the course of the investigation, the UTRGV Police Department was advised the parents made successful contact with the student.
Nov. 4
9 a.m.: An officer made contact with a man using a ceramics room in the Visual Arts building on the Edinburg campus without personal protective equipment that was required. He was in possession of a faculty member’s UTRGV ID that has access to the building and stated that he was given the access card by the employee. The card was confiscated and contact was made with the faculty member by phone advising that he would need to contact the UTRGV Police Department in order to get it back. The man was then escorted from the building. The report was forwarded to Environmental Health and Safety and to the Access Control and Visual Arts Department personnel.
10 a.m.: The UTRGV Police Department received reports of power outages in several buildings on the Edinburg campus. Physical Plant staff, who hosted a conference in the Education Complex, reported a loud bang and then a smell of smoke in the building. A UTRGV officer pulled the fire alarm to evacuate everyone. The Edinburg Fire Department was contacted and arrived on location. It was determined the sound may have been backup generators turning on and the smoke may have come from them starting as well. Fire department officials said the building could not be occupied with the power not functioning, and the event staff and attendees were asked to get their belongings and leave the building. Environmental Health and Safety was notified to check the fire panel and alarm system. Power was eventually restored to the affected buildings.
1:30 p.m.: A student reported that she returned to her dorm room in Unity Hall and noticed items out of place, along with U.S. currency missing from her room. She said she left her room Nov. 2 and returned Nov. 4 to find all her drawers open and items missing from her apartment. The case is under investigation.
6:30 p.m.: A man reported that his wife was attending an event in the Education Complex on the Edinburg campus. He was concerned because she had not returned to their residence in Donna. He also filed a report with the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office and later reported that he made contact with his wife in Harlingen and all was OK.
–Compiled by Britney Valdez
