Updates Posted About Two Prior Public Safety Alerts

The University of St. Thomas Department of Public Safety on Monday posted updates on two recently issued Pubic Safety Alerts, one involving an attempted robbery and the other involving thefts from the Anderson Athletic and Recreation Complex.

In the attempted-robbery case, the update said the St. Thomas student recanted his original story that he had been injured during an attempted robbery on Summit Avenue on Saturday, Sept. 20. The student was treated for a cut on his arm, but admitted last Friday, Sept. 26, that he made up the story about being the victim of an attempted robbery.

The Public Safety update noted that Minnesota is one of many states that have amnesty laws legally protecting underage drinkers from being cited if they or a friend needs medical attention. “Public Safety and the university strongly urge students to call for help when it is needed for you or a friend, even if you or they are impaired,” the update said.

In the case involving thefts from Anderson Athletic and Recreation Center, the update said a suspect in the case was spotted in the AARC on Saturday, Sept. 27, positively identified by Public Safety and the St. Paul Police Department, and removed from campus.

Public Safety believes the suspect, who is not a St. Thomas student, is connected to the theft of phones, a laptop and wallet that were either left unattended or in an unsecured locker. It has not been determined yet if police will file charges against the suspect.

The suspect initially was spotted by a St. Thomas employee who reported seeing someone who matched the description given in the original Public Safety Alert, which was posted on campus Sept. 18. The update reminded those who use the Anderson Athletic and Recreation Complex “to secure their valuables in a locker with a lock.”