The University of Wisconsin Police Department is investigating at least three burglaries that recently occurred on the UW campus, UWPD stated in a crime warning emailed to students Monday afternoon.
According to UWPD’s crime warning, the burglaries took place between Jan. 18 and Jan. 27 at 30 N. Mills St. — the Physical Plant building — and 21 N. Park St. — the UW Administration building.
UWPD arrests Nebraska man for sexual assault in UW residence hall
The email from UWPD said victims of the crimes reported their items were stolen from cubicle spaces. In an email statement, UWPD spokesperson Marc Lovicott said investigators believe all three burglary cases to be related.
“Because we had three burglaries in a short period of time — and we were able to connect them — we decided to send out a campus-wide Crime Warning to alert our community and share tips and resources.” Lovicott said in the statement.
According to UWPD’s 2020 Annual Report, reports of theft have gradually increased from 2018 to 2020. The report said the number of citations for theft was 26 in 2018, 37 in 2019 and 58 in 2020.
A similar string of burglaries occurred at UW in February 2017 in the span of two weeks, and victims of the crimes reported stolen credit cards and electronics.
In the crime warning, UWPD listed steps to protect oneself from burglaries. The list included tips such as securing one’s belongings, taking valuables along if it’s impossible to lock them while leaving an area, being aware of and reporting suspicious activity to police and immediately calling 911 when witnessing a burglary.
UWPD said the investigation is ongoing, and officials are encouraging anyone with information to contact UWPD at (608) 264-2677.
