INCIDENT:  Arson

OCCURRED: Thursday, July 03, 2014 at 4:10PM, 4:50PM and 7:10PM

LOCATION: Undergraduate Library, 600 East Green and 400 South Sixth, Champaign

UPDATE:

The University of Illinois Police Department developed two persons of interest in the arsons that occurred on July 3, 2014, from security camera video at the Undergraduate Library. On July 4, 2014 a University of Illinois Police Officer made contact with two juveniles near the Illini Union whom he recognized from the security camera video.   One juvenile admitted starting all three fires and both were taken into custody based on this investigation.

Jeffrey T. Christensen

Executive Director of Public Safety

Chief of Police

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

ORIGINAL CRIME ALERT:

INCIDENT:      Arson    

 OCCURRED:      Thursday, July 03, 2014 at 4:10PM, 4:50PM and 7:10PM

 LOCATION:        Undergraduate Library, 600 East Green and 400 South Sixth, Champaign

 BRIEF DETAILS:

On Thursday, July 03, 2014 at approximately 4:10PM a trash can was set on fire in the tunnel between the Undergraduate Library and the Main Library. At approximately 4:50PM a UPS drop box was set on fire in the 600 block of East Green Street, Champaign. At approximately 7:30PM in the 400 block of South Sixth Street, Champaign some trash next to a house was also set on fire.

OFFENDER DESCRIPTIONS:

 No offender description is available at this time. 

POLICE RESPONSE:

The Champaign and University of Illinois Police Departments are working together to identify and apprehend the offender.  Witnesses to this event or those with information are encouraged to contact the Champaign Police Department at 351-4545 or Crime Stoppers at 373-TIPS (8477).

SAFETY INFORMATION:

Members of the campus community are strongly encouraged to follow these safety tips to decrease their potential for becoming a victim:

• Stay alert - call the police immediately to report suspicious activity and/or if this subject is observed.
• Trust your instincts - if it does not feel right, call for help.
• Avoid walking alone at night. Travel in groups when possible and always walk in well-lit, heavily traveled areas.
• Turn down your electronic devices. Excessive volume or use of electronic devices (iPods, PDAs, cell phones, etc.) can distract you from potential safety hazards.
• If you choose to consume alcohol, please drink moderately - remember your ability to respond is diminished by over-consumption of alcohol. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The University of Illinois, Champaign and Urbana Police Departments are collaborating to provide CrimeReports, a national crime mapping service, with up-to-date crime information. This map includes Clery crimes (homicide, sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, arson and motor vehicle theft), as well as other crimes that are of concern to community members.

You can access the campus district crime map and sign up for daily, weekly, or monthly email alerts at www.CrimeReports.com. Access to the crime map is available 24 hours a day through the website or through a CrimeReports iPhone application, available for free download in the Apple iTunes store.

Information also can be shared anonymously through Crimestoppers by calling 217-373-TIPS or online at:http://www.champaigncountycrimestoppers.com/

 Crimes in progress, reporting of suspicious individuals or any event requiring a police response should be reported to our regional dispatch center by calling 9-1-1. 

Crime prevention information can be found on the University of Illinois Division of Public Safety website at http://www.publicsafety.illinois.edu/universitypolice/campussafety.html

Updates to crime alerts can also be found at http://www.publicsafety.illinois.edu

SafeWalks is a courtesy service provided to University of Illinois students, faculty, or staff, so that they do not have to walk alone within the campus area. Information on SafeWalks can be found at http://www.publicsafety.illinois.edu/universitypolice/SafeWalks.html