Theft at UA less prevalent than usual
Jack Willems
Issue date: 4/13/09 Section: News
The UA Police Department received fewer reports of theft this year compared to last year, in spite of an economic downturn.
The UAPD has received 51 reports of theft in the first three months of 2009 compared to 57 reports of theft in the first three months of 2008, said Gary Crain, UAPD public information officer.
Still, the UAPD has seen an increase in theft in some areas, said Vance Rice, another UAPD officer. Earlier this month, there was a theft of cash, which is rare, Rice said.
The cash was a donation given to the Razorback Foundation, but the UAPD cannot release at this time how much was taken, Crain said. The donation was left in a drawer, and when employees came back to retrieve it, the money was gone, Crain said.
"We don't have cash come up often," Rice said. "We (also) don't see vehicles taken very often."
A white 1994 GMC Sierra was reported stolen March 12, but so far that is the only case of automotive theft on campus this year, Crain said. Last year, there were two vehicles reported stolen within the first three months, he said. The UAPD has no leads in the case, Rice said. The truck was an older model, so it was probably stolen to be used, not to be sold for parts, Rice said.
This was the case two years ago when a man stole a truck from campus and used it on his farm in Oklahoma until pulled over by police, Rice said. Though this is the only case of car theft reported this year, a few mopeds also have been stolen, Rice said.
Clery Reports from 2004 to 2007 show an overall decrease in the number of thefts reported on campus, from 255 in 2001 to 198 in 2006, with an increase to 254 in 2007.
Meanwhile, the number of burglaries reported on campus has increased from 21 in 2002 to 83 in 2007, according to the Clery Reports. Five cars were reported stolen in 2007, according to the 2007 report.
Property crime increased nationally overall during the last recession in 2001, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Web site. Crime increased by .9 percent in 2001 while property crime increased by 1.3 percent, though violent crime fell by .4 percent, according to the Web site.
In the first half of 2008, property crime fell 2.5 percent with larceny dropping 1.2 percent, burglary falling .8 percent and motor vehicle theft decreasing 12.6 percent, according to the Web site.
In cities the size of Fayetteville, property crime decreased by 1.7 percent with burglary decreasing by 2 percent and larceny decreasing by .3 percent, according to the Web site.
The UAPD has received 51 reports of theft in the first three months of 2009 compared to 57 reports of theft in the first three months of 2008, said Gary Crain, UAPD public information officer.
Still, the UAPD has seen an increase in theft in some areas, said Vance Rice, another UAPD officer. Earlier this month, there was a theft of cash, which is rare, Rice said.
The cash was a donation given to the Razorback Foundation, but the UAPD cannot release at this time how much was taken, Crain said. The donation was left in a drawer, and when employees came back to retrieve it, the money was gone, Crain said.
"We don't have cash come up often," Rice said. "We (also) don't see vehicles taken very often."
A white 1994 GMC Sierra was reported stolen March 12, but so far that is the only case of automotive theft on campus this year, Crain said. Last year, there were two vehicles reported stolen within the first three months, he said. The UAPD has no leads in the case, Rice said. The truck was an older model, so it was probably stolen to be used, not to be sold for parts, Rice said.
This was the case two years ago when a man stole a truck from campus and used it on his farm in Oklahoma until pulled over by police, Rice said. Though this is the only case of car theft reported this year, a few mopeds also have been stolen, Rice said.
Clery Reports from 2004 to 2007 show an overall decrease in the number of thefts reported on campus, from 255 in 2001 to 198 in 2006, with an increase to 254 in 2007.
Meanwhile, the number of burglaries reported on campus has increased from 21 in 2002 to 83 in 2007, according to the Clery Reports. Five cars were reported stolen in 2007, according to the 2007 report.
Property crime increased nationally overall during the last recession in 2001, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Web site. Crime increased by .9 percent in 2001 while property crime increased by 1.3 percent, though violent crime fell by .4 percent, according to the Web site.
In the first half of 2008, property crime fell 2.5 percent with larceny dropping 1.2 percent, burglary falling .8 percent and motor vehicle theft decreasing 12.6 percent, according to the Web site.
In cities the size of Fayetteville, property crime decreased by 1.7 percent with burglary decreasing by 2 percent and larceny decreasing by .3 percent, according to the Web site.
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