The West Virginia University Police Department issued a Community Notice Wednesday (Oct. 23) due to an uptick in reports of thefts from vehicles. So far, one person has been charged in connection with the alleged crimes.
Since Oct. 19, UPD has received reports of four vehicle larceny cases at parking locations for the Mountainlair, near the WVU College of Law and on Fife Avenue.
On Wednesday (Oct. 23), Cristine Flesher, 40, of Morgantown, who is not a University employee or student, was arrested and charged with larceny from a vehicle for alleged involvement in a theft reported from a vehicle at the Mountainlair Parking Garage.
“Surveillance video was key to making the arrest quickly,” Chief Sherry St. Clair said. “This case and the others serve as reminders that we must all be vigilant and take steps to prevent crimes of opportunity.”
These four cases are in addition to those previously reported in a Sept. 11 Community Notice. UPD has increased patrols in the theft areas and officers are continuing their investigations.
Anyone with information that could be helpful is asked to contact UPD at 304-293-COPS (2677) or visit the department at 992 Elmer Prince Drive. Information may be shared anonymously.
WVU is committed to providing a safe campus for the protection of the University community. The following safety tips are designed to help avoid potential crime.
• LOCK YOUR VEHICLE.
• Secure windows and doors while you are away or not actively monitoring them.
• Check your vehicle often.
• Do not leave spare keys in places accessible to others, like an unlocked vehicle.
• Check your vehicle before getting in and driving.
• If anything is out of place or appears to have been tampered with, call UPD if you are on campus or Morgantown Police or the local police department if you are off campus.
• Do not attempt to drive the vehicle away if parts to the vehicle are missing unless it is safe to do so.
• If any tools or other items are around the car, do not touch them and tell the responding officer.
• Anyone who believes they are in danger should immediately call 911.
• If you witness a potentially dangerous situation or a crime, call 911 or UPD.
• Download the LiveSafe app.
• If you encounter an emergency situation on campus, utilize the blue light emergency call system, if available.
Additional Resources:
• WVU Police Department — 911, 304-293-2677, 304-293-3136
• WVU CARE Team
• WVU Carruth Center — 304-293-4431
• WVU Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion — 304-293-5600
• WVU Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities — 304-293-8111
• WVU Faculty-Staff Assistance Program — 304-293-5590
• Rape and Domestic Violence Information Center — 304-292-5100
• WVU Office of Campus and Community Life — 304-293-5611
• WVU Student Health — 304-285-7200
• WVU Division of Student Life — 304-293-5811
Health, safety, preparedness and training resources are posted at safety.wvu.edu and police.wvu.edu.
University students, employees and community members are encouraged to follow the WVU Safety and Wellness Facebook page as well as @WVUsafety on X, and download the LiveSafe app and allow push notifications for the latest safety information.
A Community Notice is part of the WVU three-tiered emergency notification system used to enhance student and employee safety and provide useful information to the community.
-WVU-
sj/10/23/24
MEDIA CONTACT: Shauna Johnson
Director of News Communications
WVU Strategic Communications and Marketing
304-293-8302; sjohns13@mail.wvu.edu
Call 1-855-WVU-NEWS for the latest West Virginia University news and information from WVUToday.