MPD charges suspect in thefts

On Sunday, the Middlebury Police Department (MPD) reported that they had cited Adrian Moore, a 19-20 year old man living in the Middlebury area, for attempted grand larceny, unlawful mischief and unlawful trespass.

Chief Tom Hanley of the Middlebury Police Department stated,

“Adrian Moore has been cited for two episodes on the campus, one early [last] Saturday morning and one in early February where he entered a student’s room. He has a few court dates coming up.”

Last Saturday, Moore was sighted as he attempted to take a laptop from a student in Hepburn Hall.

“I was asleep, with the window open, and I heard the screen being cut,” said Derrick Angle ’12, the roommate of the person whose laptop Moore attempted to steal.

“I heard my screen being removed and someone was reaching into my room for [my roommate’s] laptop. I looked at the kid, who had a knife, and yelled at him and he [fell] out of my window ... They asked me to identify the kid and I was able to.”

The day after, Moore was recognized again, this time when he was playing guitar with his friends at the Middlebury Market. Another student called the Department of Public Safety, who immediately contacted the Middlebury Police. A few minutes later, they had apprehended the suspect.

The student recalled, “I informed the dispatcher that Adrian Moore was casually hanging out in Midd Market as we spoke. I was transferred to Officer Chris, who told me that they [were] going to page the police department … As I was waiting for the police to come, Adrian and his friends got up to leave — I called Public Safety again to inform them that the target was leaving and on the move. I heard some commotion and yelling on the other end of the phone, as I assume they were updating the police, play-by-play … It turns out Adrian and friends didn’t really leave and only left to go smoke outside [on the patio.] In no time, a bunch of police cars and Public Safety [officers] showed up and had him surrounded across the street.”

Even though Moore has been arrested, the police department is still investigating several other cases at the moment. One case in particular has to do with Bucky Mitchell, who has been indicated as a suspect in all-campus e-mails from Public Safety. Mitchell has been cited for unlawful trespass on campus and has an active trespass order from the police, but has been released on his promise that he would appear in court to answer his criminal charges.

“He’s been released on recognizance,” Hanley said.

“We’re hoping that if we catch him on campus, we can try to lodge him — in other words, set bail on him and keep him in jail until his court dates. There is no indication that he is dangerous and he has not shown indications of violence towards students, but property is disappearing and we need to put a stop to that.”

Students on campus have differing attitudes towards the theft, with some students being extra cautious and others just taking their chances.

Xian Lee ’13, a resident of Stewart Hall, where many of the thefts occurred, said “People [in my hall] are definitely locking their doors now, even if they’re just leaving for a short period of time. We’re all definitely more aware if we see someone we don’t recognize in the halls or suspicious behavior.”

Some students in Hepburn Hall, which was also the site of many thefts, said that they “locked their doors for about a week.” A student who wished to remain anonymous said that he locked his doors and windows more “when the first string [of thefts] came through because [he] heard the [suspects] had key cards then. I heard that they don’t anymore.”

Allen Hoffman ’12 said, “I don’t leave my computer in the lounge like I used to.”

Chief Hanley called for students’ alertness, asking students to look out for Mitchell and to report any sightings of him on campus.

Hanley explained, “A lot of students have seen [the suspects] and not called. It would be great if students could help Public Safety and the Police by watching out for [Bucky Mitchell] and letting us know when he’s on campus. We need the students to be vigilant.”