Security Update: Arrest Made in Connection to Campus Burglary

According to John Blaisdell, the Director of Safety and Security at Marist College, the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department made an arrest related to one of the burglaries on campus. Blaisdell notified the Marist community of the arrest on November 6 after the first burglary on campus was reported in early November.

“As of last week, the suspect is in jail, and at the request of Town Police, the suspect’s name is not being released at this time,” Blaisdell said. “More information will be communicated as it is released by the police.” 

As previously reported in the Marist Circle, the first documented theft was reported to security on November 7 in a Foy Townhouse. The theft was investigated by police when a credit card in a missing bag was used locally. The police made an arrest, but it was unclear whether the person who was using the card was the same person who took the card from the house.

The second burglary took place over Thanksgiving break when students were not on campus in the Upper New Townhouses. Similar to the other incident, this was a break-and-enter that involved the theft of personal property. 

“We have hired Town of Poughkeepsie police officers to patrol at night, and Marist Security officers are working overtime,” President Weinman said in an email. “We have increased surveillance and remote monitoring capabilities in the area of these incidents and have fortified residence hall windows.”

In the third burglary on December 4, students reported hearing an intruder enter their Lower West Cedar townhouse through an open window on the lower level of the house. The intruder was comforted by students and retreated. Security was not immediately contacted in this incident, but when they were made aware, they reviewed the camera footage and turned it over to the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department for further investigation. 

Only a few days later, students living in a Lower West Cedar Townhouse called security and reported that they heard their kitchen window open and close, as well as rummaging. Marist Security, who were stationed in the complex, responded to the call with local police within 90 seconds. No one was found when the house was searched and the windows were closed, but had been left unlocked. 

Although an arrest related to one of the burglaries has been made, the additional security precautions on campus will remain in place for the rest of the winter break out of an abundance of caution. If a student needs to return to campus during break, they ask that they notify Security. 

“We would like to express our deep appreciation to the Town Police for their tenacity and professionalism throughout the investigation,” Blaisdell said.

When returning to campus for the spring 2022 semester, students should remember to close and secure the windows and doors to their residence. Any suspicious behavior on the Marist college campus should be reported immediately by calling Marist Security at 845-471-1822.

Arrest Made in Connection to Marist College Campus Burglary. Source: Diverse Stock Photos (CC BY-NC 2.0), Flikr.