Police Beat-Feb. 9 to Feb. 16

Feb. 9- A UMW student reported that her parking decal was missing. Police took a petit larceny report, issued a new decal and deactivated the old decal. If the decal is found on another vehicle, charges will be made.

Feb. 9- UMW police, UMW safety and the Fredericksburg Fire Department evacuated and closed the Indoor Tennis Center because of a natural gas leak. Columbia Gas responded and fixed the leak. The Indoor Tennis Center was aired out and operations resumed on Feb. 11 after the Feb. 10 snow day.

Feb. 9- UMW police and the Fredericksburg Fire Department responded to a call at the University Apartments. The residents of building nine reported smelling gas. After carefully checking the area, the fire department said there were no gas leaks.

Feb. 10- Fredericksburg Police contacted the UMW police about a 911 call. A student from Virginia Hall told the Fredericksburg Police that she had received a call threatening the well-being of her friend. In the midst of the conversation between the student, the Fredericksburg police and the UMW police, the student reported she had located her friend and that the situation was fine. UMW police took a police information report to document the call.
Feb. 10- The Fredericksburg Fire Department and UMW police responded to a fire alarm at Jefferson Hall. When the responders entered, they found that the culprit was overcooked food in a microwave on the fourth floor. The failed attempt at cooking did not damage any property and did not injure anyone.

Feb. 12-  Parents of a student reported that they had no contact with their child for almost a week. Based on the parents’ information, along with other collaborating information leading to the possibility that an individual was missing, UMW police place a nationwide missing person alert on file with all law enforcement agencies. Throughout the day, UMW police investigated leads on the case. Late in the day, police learned that the “missing” student was safe and was voluntarily staying with a friend’s family. The student had opted not to contact her immediate family members. Police canceled the missing person alert.

Feb. 12- A UMW student reported that her parking decal was missing. Police took a petit larceny report, issued a new decal and deactivated the old decal. If the decal is found on another vehicle, charges will be made.

Feb. 12- A UMW vehicle and a student’s vehicle were involved in a minor accident in the UMW Parking Deck. No one was injured  and property damage was minimal.

Feb. 12- Around 11:30 p.m., a UMW student parked on College Avenue and was walking back to Madison Hall. A car pulled up alongside her and offered her a ride, saying they were UMW police. The student declined the ride, moved away from the area and immediately called police to report the incident. The student said she hadn’t noticed if the person in the car had on a uniform but she gave an accurate description of the vehicle. Police immediately confirmed that the car was the UMW police Intrepid, an unmarked police vehicle driven by one of our officers. The UMW police said the student’s prompt action in making her report allowed for immediate resolution of the complaint. Too often, police and emergency responders are notified of incidents hours and sometimes days afterwards, making it difficult to successfully resolve the reports, UMW police said. Police said they commend the student for her timely reporting.

Feb. 15- A UMW student reported that his laptop was stolen from Simpson Library. The student said he had left for about five minutes to make phone calls and that when he returned, his computer was gone. Investigation continues.