Two under-age suspects were arrested after two vehicle burglaries took place in separate on-campus parking lots Wednesday morning.
The first burglary took place in the WellCat Health Center parking lot at 601 Warner St. at 2:30 a.m. University police lieutenant, Christopher Shippen, told The Orion some personal property was stolen from the vehicle.
The same suspects are thought to have burglarized another car in the Hazel Street parking lot — near the Bell Memorial Union — at 509 West Second St. at around 7:30 a.m. Shippen said personal property was stolen from the vehicle and UPD believes the suspects may have tried to steal it due to ignition damage.
During the investigation, UPD officers looked at security camera footage from both scenes, which “revealed the presence of the two suspects,” the press release said.
Shippen said some of the personal property was easily identifiable, so they were able to trace the suspects back to an apartment on the north side of campus in the 800 block of West Second Avenue.
The suspects were found in the apartment, Shippen said. They were also found in possession of stolen property and burglary tools, the press release stated.
One student who parks on Chico State campus on days she has late classes, Taylor Boundas, said she has never felt nervous about parking on or near campus, and this incident has not changed her outlook.
However, Chico State student Dhruv Bahl said, though he does not park on campus he would be incredibly nervous about doing so.
He said between bikes getting stolen — including two of his own — and situations like this incident, the campus does not seem like a safe environment
The only place Bahl would consider parking is in the parking structure near the UPD station.
“This should make students question whether they should go to Chico State,” Bahl said.
The identities of the suspects have not been released due to their ages. They were taken to the Butte County Juvenile Hall for booking.
The incident is still under investigation, so if anyone has information, they are encouraged to contact UPD at 530-898-5555. Anonymous tips can be submitted to UPD here.
Ariana Powell can be reached at [email protected].
