Police recover stolen Cook portrait in Wisconsin
An original oil painting and other property were stolen in early March during two weekend break-ins at the Martha Cook residence hall. Department of Public Safety (DPS) officers believe on March 8 vandals broke a first-floor window, which was temporarily covered with a piece of plywood. The following night, the plywood was moved and several items were discovered missing, including an early 1900s painting of the building’s namesake. The DPS investigation led police to a local fraternity and ultimately to another chapter in Wisconsin. Madison police recovered the painting and it will be returned to U-M. The results of the DPS investigation will be submitted to the prosecutor’s office for arrest warrant authorization.
Baits room burglarized; laptop, cash taken
Three Baits Housing residents reported to DPS March 14 that a laptop, cash and other personal items were taken from their adjoining rooms that evening. A window screen was found on the ground outside the second-floor room.
Laptop missing from Hatcher Library
A student told DPS officers that he left his laptop computer overnight March 25 in a locked cubicle in the Hatcher Library. When he returned the next morning, the computer was missing. There were no signs of forced entry.
Five vehicles reported stolen
Five vehicles were reported stolen from campus parking lots in March; four of the thefts occurred on North Campus. Other local police agencies also received an increase in stolen vehicle reports during the same time period. Of the five vehicles reported stolen from U-M, three have been recovered in damaged condition. Police encourage drivers to be sure their vehicles are locked and not to store any valuables in their cars.
Gem theft suspect awaits trial
The suspect in two March burglaries at the C.C. Little Science Building remains in jail after his preliminary exam date was postponed until April 30. Michael Sherer of Saline has been charged with breaking and entering as well as receiving and concealing stolen property in connection with the theft of 68 gemstones from the geology department March 17 and 19. Sherer’s bond is set at $100,000.
Cereal makes a mess in West Quad
One or more vandals spread several boxes of cold cereal and plastic bowls in designs around the floor of the West Quad dining hall during the night of March 6. There were no signs of forced entry. Additionally, several boxes of cereal were reported missing.
Alcohol taken, returned to Michigan League
A staff person at the Michigan League reported to DPS officers that on March 15 a student had returned 10 bottles of alcohol that she said had been taken from the building by her friends the previous night. DPS has identified three suspects in the burglary and submitted the results of the investigation to the prosecutor’s office April 2.
No charges filed in alleged assault
The county prosecutor’s office has denied authorizing assault charges against a nursing student working at the University Hospital. A patient alleged he was assaulted by the student March 4 during a medical procedure. The case has been closed.
