By Diane Brown
Facilities and Operations
Suspicious substances and packages on the increase
Officers with the Department of Public Safety (DPS), in collaboration with staff in Occupational Safety and Environmental Health (OSEH), have responded to numerous reports on campus of suspicious substances, packages or mail this fall. Between Sept. 11 and Oct. 31, DPS responded to 79 reports. Through Nov. 11, there have been an additional 24 reports. In all cases, no hazardous substances were found.
Upon their arrival, DPS officers discuss the nature of the suspicion with the person who made the initial report. In several cases, the investigation led officers to conclude the substance was laundry detergent, drywall dust or a sugar-like substance. If the investigation did not provide enough clues to rule out a hazardous substance, the package was taken to the OSEH office for further investigation or the area was cleaned by OSEH responders.
For additional information regarding handling mail on campus, review the OSEH Web site at www.umich.edu/~oseh/mail.html.
Peeping Tom observed in residence halls
Several reports have been made in the past few weeks of a Peeping Tom in women’s shower areas at Stockwell and Mosher Jordan residence halls. Additional security measures are being implemented in the two halls. The suspect is described as a very dark man in his early 20s, between five-feet-nine- and six feet-one-inch tall, with short, tapered, dark hair and mild facial scarring. He has been seen wearing a bright yellow, long-sleeve T-shirt and a navy shirt. Anyone with information about the incidents or the suspect should contact DPS, (734) 763-1131.
Traffic stop yields loaded gun
A 20-year-old man from Belleville was apprehended Oct. 28 following a footchase with officers from two jurisdictions after he was pulled over during a routine traffic stop. A loaded handgun was found by DPS officers in the car near the driver’s seat. Erek Thames was arraigned on three misdemeanor counts—resisting and obstructing a police officer, operating a vehicle without a license on his person and operating a vehicle with a suspended license.
DPS officers stopped Thames on South Forest Avenue around 1:30 a.m. Thames and his passenger fled the scene. Officers from the Ann Arbor Police Department brought a tracking dog to the scene and Thames was found. His passenger remains at large.
Stolen mini-van recovered
A Plymouth Voyager mini-van was reported stolen from the Wolverine Tower parking lot Oct. 14. It was found the next day at the Extended Stay America hotel on Briarwood Circle with a broken window.
