VCU Police investigating breaking and entering incident on campus

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Police are investigating after items were reportedly stolen from an office on campus over the weekend.

At 6:19 a.m. on Monday, April 29, campus police took a report of a breaking and entering incident from office #200 of the CHoR Parking Deck, located at 1000 E. Broad St.

According to police, a cell phone and laptop were stolen from the office sometime between 6 p.m. on Friday, April 26, and 6 a.m. on Monday, April 29. It is unknown if the office was locked or not at the time of the incident.

VCU Police is leading the investigation and increasing patrols in the area.

According to the university, the notice that was released is a “timely warning” and intended to prevent similar incidents and crimes, as well as serve as a way to protect members of the university.

VCU Police said they would like to remind students to be aware of their personal safety while living in an urban environment. Here are tips that were shared by VCU Police:

Tips to prevent breaking and entering

• Make sure all doors are locked when leaving your dorm or place of residence.
• Use deadbolt locks on exterior doors.
• Never hide keys outside the home or share access codes to keyless door entries.
• Ensure the pathway to your home is well-lit.
• Discuss safety concerns with your landlord, if you are renting.
• Don’t post your whereabouts on social media, people following you on social media platforms may take advantage of the fact you are not home.
• If you are going away for a while, have a trusted person to collect mail for you. Mail pile-ups let criminals know that you are not home.
• Keep shades and curtains closed at night.
• “Case” your own home like an intruder would and look for ways to enter the residence.
• If you live off campus, think about joining the Richmond Police vacation watch list .

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