A rash of motor vehicle thefts has plagued the parking lots of the University of Memphis over the last two weeks.
Since Sept. 26, there have been four separate cases of motor vehicle thefts and one case of vehicle vandalism.
The first crime took place on Lot 17 located on Southern Avenue. The police believe the crime took place anywhere from the night of Sept. 26 at 9 p.m. to the morning of Sept. 27 at 11 a.m. The items taken include a car radio and a pair of Nike flip-flops.
“One of our biggest problems right now is that people are parking in that lot overnight, which previously had not been the case,” Derek Myers, Assistant Director of Police Operations, said.
The second case of theft from a motor vehicle took place on Sept. 27 anywhere from 1:30 to 9:45 a.m. in the morning. The victim left his car parked in the Southern Avenue lot and returned to find the wheels on the right side of the vehicle had been stolen.
“We are trying to improve the lighting in these lots to help prevent these types of thefts,” Myers said.
The third case of theft of motor vehicle parts took place in the same Southern Avenue Lot on Sept. 29 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The door of the on the driver’s side had the lock punched out and the stereo was missing along with the stereo manual.
“We have no suspects as of right now,” Myers said. “There’s no way to tell if these crimes are connected.”
The fourth case took place in the 3700 Poplar lot on Oct. 1 anywhere from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The victim attempted to start his car, but could not due to his catalytic converter being stolen.
The fifth case was a case of vandalism in the Southern Avenue lot. A car window had the passenger side window knocked on anywhere from 9:20 to 10:10 a.m. Oct. 2. Nothing was stolen from the vehicle.
“Call us (the police) if anyone is hanging out in that parking lot and not supposed to be” Myers said.
The Campus Police have been attempting a countermeasure to battle the thefts.
“We have requested a Memphis Police Department SkyCop camera system for use in the lot and it is over there now,” Myers said.
All of these thefts are taking place despite the fact the Police made assurances that there would be increased patrols.
“We have increased the number of officers working on each shift, which is designed to increase patrol presence and visibility, especially in the affected areas (Southern lots),” Bruce Harbor, University of Memphis campus police chief, said in a press release that was emailed campus wide on Sept. 10.
The emergency number for the U of M campus Police Department is 901-678-HELP. For nonemergency calls or tips, call 901-678-3848.
