CRIME BRIEFS

Police break up fight

At 12:27 a.m. Jan. 27, there was a fight during a party inside the Devil's Den on Oregon Street. For everyone's safety, the party was shut down and several people were directed to leave the campus, Duke University Police Department officers said. No one was injured and there was no property damage.

Counterfeit bill passed

An employee reported that between 2 p.m. Jan. 23 and noon Jan. 24, someone passed a $100 counterfeit bill at one of the dining areas on West Campus.

Belongings stolen

A student reported that between 4:45 and 4:50 p.m. Jan. 25, he left his locker unsecured in Card Gym while he was in the shower room. When he returned someone had stolen his $30 wallet, $20 in cash, debit card, DukeCard, driver's license, $60 jeans, $20 blue long sleeve shirt and $30 black leather belt.

Vehicle entered, possessions taken

A student reported that between 12:30 and 5:25 p.m. Jan. 24, while his vehicle was parked in the Gross Chemistry lot, someone pulled the top window out from the track, wedged it open and stole his $200 Alpine CD player, 45 CDs valued at $450 and a $20 black carrier bag.

Dorm window lock broken

On Dec. 27 at 8 p.m., police officers on patrol discovered a window screen pried open on a first-floor dorm room on the West Quad. Officers checked the inside of the room and discovered damage to the locking mechanism of the window consistent with a break-in attempt. Maintenance was contacted to repair the damage. The resident of the room, a Duke student on vacation, was contacted. It is not known if anything was stolen.

Bike lock cut

Dec. 30 at 11 p.m., an officer on patrol noticed two men riding bicycles and acting suspiciously on the West Campus Quad. The officer followed the two men and saw them use a bolt cutter to cut a lock on a bike at the bike rack in front of House FF1. Officers arrested the men and charged Walter Whitted, 20, and Othello Hatcher, 31, with misdemeanor larceny. Hatcher was also charged with second degree trespassing after a records check showed a previous trespass warning. Their court date is set for Jan. 27. They could not be reached for comment.

Pocketbook stolen

A student reported that while attending a party in The Great Hall between 1 and 1:45 a.m. Jan. 18, someone stole her unprotected $250 Nine West pocketbook containing keys, $10 wallet and DukeCard.

Student reports scam

A student reported that on Jan. 17 he was the victim of a scam. He said that while he was at Kroger on Hillsborough Road he was approached by a black man, 5'8", dark complexion, medium build, who introduced himself as Anthony Gibson.

"Gibson" told the student that his vehicle was broken down on I-40, needed $10 for the problem and that he worked "at the library in the Bryan Center" and to come there and he would pay him back.

The student went to the Bryan Center and found out that no one worked there by that name.

Belongings taken

Someone stole a student's unsecured DukeCard, credit card and driver's license from the second floor bathroom in Southgate Dormitory between 10 and 10:10 a.m. Jan. 17.

Gown, cash stolen

A patient reported that between 2:30 and 3 p.m. Jan. 23, someone entered her room on 8100 Duke Hospital North while she was out and stole a $15 pink gown and $10 in cash.

Cash, keys taken

Someone entered an employee's unlocked office in the Duke Surplus Store between 2:15 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Jan. 6 stole $1.50 cash and his keys.

Snacks snatched

At 7:55 a.m. Jan. 18, Duke police officers discovered that a vending machine located in the Hospital Emergency Department breakroom had been broken into. Several snacks appeared to be missing.

Crime briefs are compiled from Duke University Police Department reports. Anyone with knowledge about those responsible for these or other crimes at the University can contact Lt. Davis Trimmer at 684-4713 or Durham CrimeStoppers at 683-1200.