U of M to students: Secure valuables before leaving campus for spring break

MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) - After a series of thefts on and off campus, the University of Minnesota is warning students leaving campus for spring break to take precautions with their valuables while they are gone. 

In an email to the student body, university officials said the warning was in response to two incidents reported near campus in the past week.

A 22-year-old man was recently arrested for stealing items from the Carlson School of Management and Middlebrook Hall on Sunday.

Another robbery occurred Wednesday night when a student was robbed at gunpoint by two men while standing at the intersection of 12th Ave. SE and 7th St. SE.

The school suggests students take their valuables with them when they leave and hide the ones they cannot take from public view. Police also suggest taking pictures of the items and recording the serial numbers of the property. 

"So as these things start to show up in pawn shops they are flagged and held for the owner and we can also follow up with the people who pawned them as possible suspects in these burglaries, thefts or whatever the case maybe," Sgt. Mike Ernster of the St. Paul Police Department said. 

How to avoid theft

• Lock all doors and windows as you leave
• Do not leave valuables in your dorm room, apartment or house
• If you cannot take all your valuables with you, take pictures and record the serial numbers of all valuables and secure the items in a locked room or hide them from public view
• Ask roommates or friends who are staying in town to pick up your mail and keep an eye on your property
• If you are staying on or near campus, call university staff if you see anything suspicious