Feb. 25
2:20 p.m.: An officer responded to a fire alarm at the Biomedical Research and Health Professions Building on the Brownsville campus. On arrival, faculty, staff and students were evacuating the building. The officer made contact with Facilities staff, who informed him that a steam valve that was opened inside a mechanical room had triggered the alarm. UTRGV Health and Safety cleared the building for re-entry.
6:16 p.m.: A resident assistant from the Casa Bella Apartments on the Brownsville campus reported discovering a strong odor of marijuana in an apartment while conducting a health and safety check. When she entered, she discovered drug paraphernalia on the counter. The student resident subsequently arrived at the scene and gave consent to search his room to the officer at the scene. A search of the room yielded a clear plastic baggie with marijuana, among other drug paraphernalia. The student was issued a court appearance citation for possession of drug paraphernalia due to the marijuana weighing less than one ounce. The director of Residential Life was notified and said he would inform Student Rights and Responsibilities of the incident. The marijuana and drug paraphernalia were confiscated and submitted as evidence.
Feb. 26
2:17 a.m.: An officer observed an abandoned vehicle improperly parked, creating a traffic hazard along West University Boulevard in Brownsville. While at the location, the vehicle’s owner, a non-affiliated man, arrived and informed the officer he had run out of gas. The man advised the officer he did not have money for gas and he could not get anyone to assist him with his vehicle. The officer decided to impound the vehicle due to its blocking traffic and representing a hazard. During the inventory of the vehicle, the officer located a tire deflation device inside the vehicle. The officer informed him that being in possession of the device was prohibited but that an arrest was not executed due to the discretion of the sergeant at the scene. The device was seized and submitted into evidence for destruction.
3:46 p.m.: A staff member reported she was concerned for the safety of two children who attend the Child Development Center on the Edinburg campus. She stated that the children did not attend the center, thus causing a concern for their welfare since she was aware of several issues the family was experiencing. Officers were eventually able to contact the children’s mother, a university student who lives on campus. She and her children were fine, and she was advised of the services available at UTRGV.
4:23 p.m.: A faculty member stated that on Feb. 22, while operating a UTRGV vehicle, a white Ford Expedition with an unknown male driver, pointed a firearm toward him while driving south on U.S. Highway 77 in Brownsville. The faculty member was referred to the Brownsville Police Department to file a police report due to the incident occurring off campus.
Feb. 27
4:22 p.m.: An officer working a parade detail with the Brownsville Independent School District Police Department was waved down by a concerned citizen reporting an intoxicated non-affiliated man. The officer was able to locate and detain the man who was determined to be intoxicated. The man was arrested by Brownsville ISD Police on charges of public intoxication.
7:38 p.m.: Officers were dispatched to the area of UTRGV Facilities due to four non-affiliated individuals seen on the border cameras jumping the U.S. border fence. An officer made contact with one male juvenile and one adult male, both from Mexico. A second officer made contact with one adult female and one male adult who were unable to scale the fence. U.S. Border Patrol arrived and took custody of the four individuals.
Feb. 28
1:05 a.m.: An officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for a traffic violation on International Boulevard at East Taylor Street in Brownsville. Upon making contact with the non-affiliated operator of the vehicle, the officer observed signs of intoxication by alcoholic beverage. The male refused to perform the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests at the scene. He was placed under arrest on charges of driving while intoxicated. After refusing a breath specimen, a search warrant was completed for a blood draw. A check on him revealed two prior convictions for driving while intoxicated. A local tow service impounded his vehicle.
Feb. 29
10:27 a.m.: An officer responded to the library on the Edinburg campus in reference to a non-affiliated male looking at females and making them uncomfortable. After making contact with him, the officer confirmed he had no affiliation with UTRGV. He was issued a criminal trespass warning for UTRGV properties.
10:47 a.m.: An officer responded to the Student Health Center in reference to a fire alarm. A smoke detector in the building had triggered the alarm. At the time, the building had been empty. The Edinburg Fire Department later deemed the building safe. A work order was placed for the smoke detector.
6:30 p.m.: An officer responded to the Engineering Building on the Edinburg campus in reference to some flooding caused by an overflowing water drain in a custodial room. UTRGV Facilities cleaned the area.
–Compiled by Sol Garcia
