Cars on campus broken into

Hannah Lentz

On Feb. 22 around 1:30 a.m., several vehicles on Grand Valley State University’s Allendale Campus were broken into and items were stolen from inside. Stolen property included sunglasses, stereo face plates, electronic cords and a watch.

At the time of the incident a Grand Valley police officer saw a swerving vehicle leaving parking lot D while on patrol. An initial attempt was made to stop the vehicle with suspicion of drunk driving, but the vehicle continued to drive off campus, said Capt. Brandon DeHaan, assistant director of GVSU’s Department of Public Safety.

As the vehicle continued toward Wilson Road, GVPD contacted Walker police and Grand Rapids police for assistance to stop it.

The vehicle pulled into the Standale McDonald’s where the passenger got out and fled the area. The driver was arrested for attempting to flee and elude Grand Valley police, Walker police, Grand Rapids police and the Grand Rapids k-9 unit.

The missing passenger, who turned out to have several other warrants out for his arrest, was found in a nearby neighborhood by the Grand Rapids k-9 unit.

During further investigation of the vehicle, alcohol, marijuana and stolen goods were found and both the passenger and driver were determined to be intoxicated and under the influence of drugs.

Both individuals have been charged with attempt to flee and elude police and steal items from motor vehicles. Additional charges are being decided upon by Walker police.

The two individuals are not GVSU students, but came to the university after being made aware of social gatherings through a social media outlet, DeHaan said. After attending several parties, they then broke into unlocked cars in lots D and H and stole random items from within the vehicles before driving off.

So far, two individuals have been contacted and had their stolen items returned to them. GVPD is asking students to check their cars if they were in the parking lot during the time of this incident and to report any missing items to the police station where they can identity stolen property.

“We want to make victims whole by returning property to its owners,” Dehaan said. “Anyone wishing for additional assistance or with questions can contact us so we can solve the situation.”

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