On-campus robberies follow COVID-19-related closures

An Alert Carolina message sent Monday afternoon notified the UNC community about UNC Police’s investigation into a series of on-campus burglaries at Ram Village undergraduate apartments. 

Since March 21, six cases of breaking and entering have been reported at Ram Village residence halls. Three of the incidents occurred at Ram Village 5, two at Ram Village 2 and one at Ram Village 1 over the past two weeks, according to UNC Police’s crime log.

UNC Police has identified a suspect in the cases not affiliated with the University, according to the message.

Randy Young, UNC media relations manager, said in an email that UNC Police has issued six felony arrest warrants — five for breaking and entering and one for larceny — against suspect Marques Mann. 

Young said in the email that he was unable to release details about the burglaries beyond what was included in the Alert Carolina Crime Alert, in order to not impede an ongoing investigation.

Dontavian Smith, a junior majoring in exercise and sport science and member of UNC’s track and field team, reported the latest incident of burglary on April 5 to his Ram Village 5 apartment. 

Smith said he went to Walmart for groceries in the afternoon and returned later to find his apartment in seemingly normal condition. But, a little bit later he said he noticed some irregularities and discovered that many of his items were gone. 

“I didn’t know what to do at first, but I figured I at least got to call the police because there is no way that someone should be able to get into my room,” Smith said. “You need a key fob.” 

Smith said the stolen belongings included his book bag, wallet, shoes, jeans, cologne, AirPods and a friend’s iPad.

Smith said it hurt to lose so many of his things, especially his social security card and other IDs. 

He estimated the value of the stolen items at about $8,000, with most of the money coming from the loss of his shoe collection. Over a dozen pairs of shoes that he had collected since 10th grade were taken, and Smith said they were worth about $7,000.

Smith said his laptop, which was sitting in the living room, oddly remained untouched — along with the TV.

He said UNC Police told him they would work to retrieve his belongings and monitor Craigslist to see if his items appear.

Following the Alert Carolina message, Carolina Housing and UNC Police sent a message Monday afternoon to the remaining on-campus residents, stating that UNC Police officers will be conducting walking patrols through all residential buildings. 

This is intended to provide additional security to students approved to remain on campus during the campus closure due to COVID-19, according to the email.

During the walk throughs, UNC Police officers will be engaging with and requesting identification from anyone encountered in the hallways, according to the email. The email also said any individuals encountered who are unaffiliated with UNC will be subject to arrest and/or trespass from campus.

Laurel Thomas, a sophomore studying biochemistry, has been granted a waiver to continue living in her on-campus residence hall. She said learning about the series of burglaries did not worry her too much.

“If it happened at Morrison, I would definitely feel unsafe about living here,” Thomas said. “But since it’s pretty much stayed concentrated at Rams, I don’t really feel any more unsafe.”

Thomas said she will continue to keep her room and suite door locked and will refrain from letting anyone into the dorm to prevent burglaries. 

“We don’t know how many other rooms he has broken into because some people were gone for spring break and haven’t been able to come back to campus to get their stuff or all of their stuff,” Smith said. “So we don’t know if that stuff has been taken either.” 

Larceny was also reported on campus at Cobb Residence Hall on April 6 and Baity Hill apartments on April 7.

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