Stolen football items lead DPS to ask for public's help

A recent theft at the Kenan Football Center has the Department of Public Safety scratching its head — and asking for help.

On Oct. 21, two men entered the center and took two helmets in addition to other items, including T-shirts and jackets, said DPS spokesman Randy Young.

The stolen items had a total estimated value of $1,005.

Kevin Best, spokesman for the football team, said the helmets were the most expensive items stolen, with an approximate value of $185 each.

“We would ask that they be returned because they are the property of the University of North Carolina,” Best said. “They were purchased with the funds of the University.”

Two photos of the suspects and a video showing them entering Kenan Football Center were released Thursday.

“It’s not every larceny that we have evidence that allows us to invite folks to partner with us like this does,” Young said. “We want to make sure when we do get surveillance videos and pictures, we want to put that out there and not leave any stone unturned.”

Detective Matt Dodson, who is working the case, declined to comment on the investigation.

Before Thursday, DPS had not received much additional information regarding the case, Young said. Now, DPS is inviting help from the community in identifying the two men in the surveillance records.

“Basically, that’s why we are reaching out and casting a wider net,” Young said. “We would like to invite folks to partner with us if they have seen any suspicious articles that belong to the football team.”

Young said he thinks the video clip released Thursday would help identify the suspects based on their postures and appearance.

“I can’t recollect a case where we have as clear of evidence that relates to a person’s identity,” he said. “Certainly there has been unlawful entry into campus buildings and athletic facilities.”

Young said DPS would go through similar procedures in presenting evidence to the public if it were any other case of larceny.

“The fact is that it’s not necessarily the value or the premises,” Young said. “If a laptop or a cell phone had been taken, we would have done the exact same thing.

“This is the course we would take given the evidence we have available, which is a rare asset.”

Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.