To: All Faculty & All Academic Professionals & All Civil Service Staff &
           All Undergrad Students & All Grad Students <everybody@illinois.edu> 
    From: "Chief of Police Barbara O'Connor" <dpscomments@illinois.edu>

Reply-To: dps-mail@illinois.edu
 Subject: UPDATE ON RECENT CRIME ALERTS

UPDATE ON RECENT CRIME ALERTS

Tuesday, Nov. 08, 2011

Members of the Campus Community,

The University of Illinois Police Department would like to take the 
opportunity to provide some updates regarding recent Crime Alerts sent to 
the campus community. 

HIT & RUN ACCIDENT AT FOURTH AND SPRINGFIELD, CHAMPAIGN 

On Oct. 30, 2011 at 2:17 a.m., Champaign Police responded to the 
intersection of Fourth and Springfield to a hit-and-run accident where 
two University of Illinois students in the crosswalk were struck by a 
white 4-door passenger vehicle.  Neither the hit-and-run driver nor 
vehicle has been located. 
    
The families of the two students are offering a $5000 reward for 
information leading to the conviction of the driver. 

This investigation is continuing, and the Champaign Police Department is 
asking for assistance from the public.  Anyone with information can 
contact the Champaign Police Department at 217-351-4545, the University 
of Illinois Police Department at 217-333-1216, or anonymously call Crime 
Stoppers at 217-373-TIPS (8477).  An anonymous web tip can be given at 
www.373tips.com or text keyword CCTIP plus the tip information to: 274637 
(CRIMES). Crime Stoppers will pay a reward up to $1,000 for information 
leading to the arrest of the driver of this vehicle. 


MULTIPLE BURGLARIES AT WESTON HALL, 1209 EUCLID STREET, CHAMPAIGN 

The University of Illinois Police Department investigated a series of 
burglaries and attempted burglaries that occurred during the early 
morning hours at Weston Hall on Oct. 23, 2011. 

On Oct. 24, 2011, University of Illinois Police Officers were dispatched 
to investigate an in-progress burglary to a motor vehicle near the area 
of Gregory Avenue and Dorner Drive.  The suspect in the incident 
attempted to flee from University of Illinois Police officers, but was 
apprehended.  Through investigative efforts it was learned that this 
suspect was responsible for the burglaries associated with the Crime 
Alert.  The suspect, later identified as Steven Labana, was a resident at 
Weston Hall.  Labana admitted entering multiple rooms inside Weston Hall 
and taking property that did not belong to him.  Labana was arrested and 
charged with burglary, burglary from a motor vehicle, criminal damage to 
property, resisting a peace officer and possession of drug 
paraphernalia.  

As a reminder, it is very important for faculty, staff and students to 
secure their personal belongings and lock their doors as most burglaries 
that occur on campus are crimes of opportunity and easily preventable.


AGGRAVATED ROBBERY AT 602 EAST DANIEL STREET, CHAMPAIGN 

The Champaign Police and University of Illinois Police Departments 
continue to investigate an aggravated robbery that occurred in front of 
The Espresso Royale located at 602 E. Daniel Street, Champaign. 
Through an ongoing investigation, the Champaign Police Department 
obtained a warrant on Oct. 27 for the arrest of Dennis H. Boston IV, 19, 
who listed an address in the 500 block of East Daniel Street, Champaign.  
Boston was arraigned on Nov. 3 in Champaign County Circuit Court for 
armed robbery and aggravated robbery and is currently being held on 
$125,000 bond.   The second offender, who displayed a handgun, has not 
been apprehended. 

In a continuing effort to apprehend the second offender, we encourage the 
campus community to review the security camera footage that captured the 
incident.  The security camera images may be viewed by visiting 
http://youtu.be/G0-9pIMdP6Q 

This investigation is continuing, and the Champaign Police Department is 
still asking for assistance from the public to identify the second 
offender.  Anyone with information can contact the Champaign Police 
Department at 217-351-4545, the University Of Illinois Police Department 
at 217-333-1216, or anonymously call Crime Stoppers at 217-373-TIPS 
(8477).  An anonymous web tip can be given at www.373tips.com or text 
keyword CCTIP plus the tip information to: 274637 (CRIMES). Crime 
Stoppers will pay a reward up to $1,000 for information leading to the 
arrest of the second offender. 


ADDITIONAL NEWS AND NOTES

The University of Illinois has been awarded a United States Department of 
Justice 2011 COPS Hiring Program Grant.  The three-year grant, with an 
award of $616,000, will allow the University of Illinois Police 
Department to increase staffing by three officers.  The grant will allow 
the police department to provide the University of Illinois community 
with greater educational and problem solving opportunities by adding 
police officer positions for two full-time crime prevention specialists 
and one full-time crime analyst.  The University of Illinois Police 
Department is one of 238 agencies nationwide to receive an award through 
this competitive grant opportunity.

The goal of the University's grant is to increase the problem solving 
capabilities of the police department and community members.  The police 
department will collaborate with various campus and community partners to 
address issues surrounding sexual assault, alcohol abuse and the 
incidence of crimes such as robbery and aggravated battery.  

As an added safety measure for the winter months, the University of 
Illinois Police Department has extended the hours of its SafeWalks 
program.  SafeWalks is a courtesy service provided to University of 
Illinois students, faculty, or staff so they do not have to walk alone 
within the campus district.  Individuals who are interested in a SafeWalk 
should contact the University of Illinois Police Student Patrol at 217-
333-1216 or press an emergency phone button and wait for a dispatcher 
during their expanded operating hours (7 p.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday through 
Wednesday and 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. Thursday through Saturday).  Please allow 
at least 20 minutes notice for a SafeWalk. 

This update is sent to our campus community as we continue to work 
together in fostering a safe campus environment.  

Barbara R. O'Connor, J.D.
Executive Director of Public Safety
Chief of Police
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 
http://www.publicsafety.illinois.edu



This mailing approved by:
The Office of the Chief of Police

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