University Police is investigating a series of burglaries this week at the Keys Residential Complex.
Police have not arrested anyone in connection to the incidents, and an investigation is ongoing, said UPD spokesman Maj. Brad Barber.
The first incident happened between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. Sunday, Barber said.
Jen Gresley, residence life coordinator for the Tolbert and Keys areas, sent an email to residents later that afternoon telling them about the incident.
“It seems that someone might be catching on that apartment doors are not always locked,” she wrote.
In the email, Gresley encouraged students to remind each other to keep their front doors locked.
Unlike other residence halls on campus, Keys doesn’t use electronic cards for the 419 residents to get into the buildings.
“Your doors open right out to the general public like many apartments’ complexes do,” Gresley wrote. “It is a responsibility that comes with living in these apartment-style locations.”
On Monday, police received another report from the complex that a burglary happened between 2:30 a.m. and 5:30 a.m.
Although the burglaries happened a day apart, Barber didn’t say if the cases are directly connected, but he noted how similar they were.
“Both cases … occurred during early morning hours and similar items were reported as being stolen,” he said.
The stolen items were smart phones, video game consoles and games, Barber said. Clothing was reported stolen both days.
Detectives from UPD’s Criminal Investigation’s Division are looking for evidence as well as suspects involved in the burglaries, Barber said.
An email sent to students Tuesday afternoon hints at a third burglary unreported to police, but Barber said he couldn’t confirm any details.
With the semester coming to a close, more students are leaving campus for the holidays.
Meanwhile, UPD receives more reports about burglary thefts across campus, said UPD Capt. Jeff Holcomb.
“It’s really that time where we’ll see an uptick in property thefts,” he said.
In December 2011, police reported five burglaries on campus: one in a residence hall and four in businesses, Barber said.
In a campus-wide campaign to lower property thefts this holiday season, UPD will hand out flyers that encourage students and faculty to be vigilant, Holcomb said.
Other agencies also remind students to be safe this holiday season.
“I think we become complacent in our everyday lives,” said Art Forgey, Alachua County Sheriff’s Office spokesman. “It’s a series of reminders that the holiday season invites crime.”
Forgey said the most helpful tip to stay safe during the holidays is to always be aware of your surroundings.
He said people should have packages sent where someone will accept them. And after purchasing items, people should cut up the boxes before throwing them away.
“Don’t advertise what’s under your tree,” he said.
Forgey said the public shouldn’t feel paranoid about crime, but it’s better to be cautious.
“The days of not worrying about your safety are long and gone,” he said. “We are trying to remind people to have safe and happy holidays.”
