U. Police busy over break with more than 160 reported incidents

Despite many students being away from the campus during winter break, University Police responded to more than 160 incidents in January, similar to the previous month's 168 cases. Incidents included several reports of damaged property, trespassing on the campus and a weapons violation for possession of a sword.

BROKEN WINDOW – University Police found a blood trail, a broken window and tossed outdoor furniture outside of Stamp Student Union on Jan. 2 around 8:45 p.m., University Police spokesman Capt. Marc Limansky said. The window to The Coffee Bar — the second window to the right of the entrance — had been shattered and the wrought iron patio furniture was strewn about, he said.

The officer also noticed a trail of blood from the broken window to the bike racks down Union Lane. Limansky said it did not appear as though the window was broken to gain access to the building, and nothing inside was missing or tampered with. Police are investigating whether the thrown furniture and the broken window are related incidents.

In a similar incident later that month, a university employee reportedly found a window screen on the ground outside a Howard Hall apartment, Limansky said. After inspecting the apartment Jan. 11, police found nothing was missing but the room door inside was jammed, and there was damage to the frame. Police believe there could have been an attempted burglary, he said.

POSSESSION OF A SWORD – Police issued a weapons violation to a 48-year-old driver on Guilford Drive when officers found a sword under the driver's seat, Limansky said. When asked why he had a sword in his possession, he reportedly said that it was there for protection, leading police to determine the sword was meant to be used as a weapon, Limansky said.

TRESPASSING – On Jan. 2, a 47-year-old man was arrested in the Plant Sciences Building for trespassing on the fifth floor, Limansky said. The 4:30 p.m. arrest of Anthony Bernard Williams resulted after two previous issues of a denial of access.

The first came in 2006, when he was allegedly found in the student union and was issued a denial from that building only; the second came in 2007 when a housekeeper reportedly found him intoxicated and locked inside a bathroom in the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, resulting in University Police denying him access to the entire campus.

"There is a progression of steps," he said. "It starts with a warning, then a written note of trespassing, then a denial of access. If you come back again, you're subject to arrest, like Williams."

In an incident later that month, police arrested Terrell Dewayne Hogue, 19, for trespassing. Hogue was originally issued a denial of access in 2011 when the non-student allegedly pushed a resident assistant into a wall trying to leave a busted dorm party, Limansky said.

On Jan. 27, he was found again in Denton Hall around 8:30 p.m. with no obvious purpose and was arrested, Limansky said. Police believe he may have had intentions to steal items from unlocked rooms.

STOLEN STREET SIGN – Police noticed a street sign in the back seat of a vehicle stopped for a traffic violation outside of the Hillel Jewish Center on Jan. 3, Limansky said. In lieu of an arrest, the driver was issued a citation around 9 a.m. for having the "Princeton Ave." sign in his possession.

BURGLARY – On Jan. 22, officers responded to Allegany Hall around 6 p.m. for a report of a stolen Macbook Pro. The victim reported that she went to visit a friend around 1 a.m. and left both her bedroom door and her apartment door unlocked while her roommates slept inside. She didn't notice her laptop was missing until 10 a.m.

"Lock your door," Limansky said. "I'm going to tweet that soon. Lock your door, lock your door, lock your door."

egan@umdbk.com