UMD Police respond to reports of vandalism, destruction of property, theft

University of Maryland Police responded to reports of vandalism, destruction of property and theft during the past 10 days, according to police reports.

Vandalism

On Wednesday at 9:31 p.m., University Police responded to Francis Scott Key Hall for a report of a hate bias incident that is now classified as a vandalism incident, police spokeswoman Sgt. Rosanne Hoaas said.

A male student told officers he found a drawing of a crossed-out swastika on a window in a bathroom, with an expletive above it and the word ‘fascism’ below it, Hoaas said. University Police determined it was not a hate bias incident because the drawing appeared to be anti-swastika, as it was crossed out, Hoaas said. After examining the image, police determined everything was drawn at the same time, as the pen color and handwriting were the same, she added.

A notification was issued to have the drawing removed, and police are investigating the incident and searching for a suspect. This case is active.

Destruction of property

A University Police officer on patrol responded to a destruction of property report — listed online as vandalism for reporting purposes — on Wednesday at 1:57 a.m. on the 7300 block of Rhode Island Avenue.

Brian Walters, a 24-year-old from Greenbelt, was trying to back out of a driveway onto the road and hit a vehicle on the road, Hoaas said. The front bumper of the car he hit had minor damages.

After talking to Walters, the officer determined that he intentionally hit the car, Hoaas said. Walters was arrested and taken to the police station, and he was charged with malicious destruction of property of less than $1,000 and released.

This case is closed.

Theft

University Police responded to Lot 11b on Route 1 and Greenbelt Road for a report of theft on Nov. 10 at 2:48 p.m.

A male student told police he saw three people trying to steal two parked scooters and was questioning their actions, Hoaas said. The three people got into a pickup truck driven by a fourth person and left the scene after seeing the student was calling the police, he said.

Officers found the truck and charged all four suspects with theft of a motor vehicle. The person driving the truck was an adult, but the rest were juveniles, and their cases will be processed through a juvenile court, Hoaas said.

The three juveniles were taken to the police station and released to their parents, while the adult was taken to the Department of Corrections.

This case is closed.