Burglary suspect arrested after return to Parkland College campus

Simmy Wood
·2 min read

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Parkland College officials sent out a safety message after a previous burglary suspect returned to campus on Monday.

A series of office laptop thefts ended on March 9 after the primary suspect and an accomplice were reported by an eyewitness, arrested and banned from the premises. However, the suspect visited another campus office with a different accomplice on Monday afternoon.

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Officials said he opened an ajar office door on the second floor of the C Wing, and asked an employee where he could find the bathroom. The employee then directed him to a bathroom just across the hall.

Once the suspect exited the room, the employee closed the office door shut. The suspect’s accomplice soon approached the door and knocked on it repeatedly, but the employee deliberately did not answer. She notified Parkland College Public Safety and the two suspects were quickly caught.

Parkland College officials said the primary suspect was again arrested, and the accomplice was banned.

“We want those students to come here. We just want them to come as students. We don’t want them to come as someone who’s going to steal from us,” said  Troy Daniels, Parkland Police Chief, “There are a lot of ways to get caught here, and the most important thing, for really not just the people in the building but anyone who hears this story, to know is that the sooner you can give accurate and timely information to police officers about suspects or suspicious activity that you feel, the faster they can act on it.”

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They also offered the following tips to help the campus community better protect themselves and their belongings:

  • Get to a safe place and report suspicious activity: Follow your instincts based on behavior you are witnessing. If a person’s behavior is making you uncomfortable, get to a place of safety, such as among a group of people or behind a locked door. As soon as you are safely able, report it to Parkland College Public Safety, or call 911 in an emergency.

  • Keep your belongings in sight: Ensure that laptops and personal items are always visible to prevent opportunistic theft.

  • Avoid leaving items unattended: Unattended items, especially in public or easily accessible areas, are vulnerable to theft. Make sure your belongings are secured or accompanied. Consider shutting and locking office doors when not in use.

  • Report theft immediately: If an item is stolen or lost, it is critical to report the incident ASAP to the Parkland College Public Safety Department. Prompt reporting can significantly increase the chances of recovery and catching the suspect.

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