Residents of three different units in Northwood Community Apartments reported to the University’s Department of Public Safety yesterday that their property had been stolen from the first floor of their apartments while they were upstairs sleeping, according to DPS spokeswoman Diane Brown.
In an interview yesterday evening, Brown said the alleged home invasions took place in the 1100, 1400 and 1500 blocks of McIntyre Drive — which constitute Northwood IV. She added that police believe the time frame of the three home invasions is between 1 a.m. and 11 a.m. yesterday morning. However, none of the residents filed reports until yesterday afternoon.
Brown said there were no signs of forced entry at the apartments.
“All three had left their sliding glass doors unlocked and did not have the security bars in place either,” Brown said.
Brown noted that the residents were not awakened by the burglars but realized their personal items were missing yesterday morning, or in some cases, not until yesterday afternoon.
The residents reported that a digital camera, laptop computer, cash and other items were taken from the three apartments, according to Brown. The monetary value of stolen goods has not been determined as of yesterday evening.
Brown posted a crime alert on the DPS website, and sent an e-mail alert exclusively to Northwood residents as of last night. She said DPS and Housing Security officers also would be going door-to-door on North Campus yesterday evening to hand out crime alert fliers to residents.
Engineering sophomore Michael Yonick, a resident of Northwood, said he wasn’t aware of the home invasions until he received a crime alert e-mail yesterday evening. He added that he’s not concerned for his safety after hearing about the alleged home invasions.
“This is the first incident I’ve ever seen at Northwood, so I feel like it’s generally safe,” Yonick said.
LSA junior Sara Rivera, a resident advisor in Northwood Houses — an area of Northwood that exclusively houses freshmen — said she was surprised that the home invasions occurred but doesn’t feel she is in danger.
“I’m an RA here, so I know the housing security officers,” Rivera said. “They are very up on their game, making sure they know exactly what’s going on at all times.”