CMUPD Crime Log: Reported gun, sexual extortion and football game arrest
Central Michigan University Police Detective and tactical driving trainer Scott Bailey (left) and Officer Mark Smoker prepare for Smoker's bi-annual recertification test Thursday, May 23, in Lot 63 outside of Kelly/Shorts Stadium. The four-part test showcases officers' responsiveness and reflexive skills behind the wheel at high speeds in both forward and reverse.
Central Michigan University police responded to several reports during the first weeks of the fall semester, including harassment complaints, thefts, sexual extortion and an arrest at the CMU home-opening football game.
Aug. 27: Reports of harassment
A 21-year-old female student reported being harassed over the phone by her ex-boyfriend’s new girlfriend.
An officer spoke with both parties, and the harassment stopped, Lieutenant Jason VanConant with CMUPD said.
Aug. 31: Pop-up tent reported stolen
A pop-up tent was reported stolen from Lot 22 near Kesseler Hall.
VanConant said that police reviewed surveillance footage and located a suspect on camera, but the person was not identified.
Sept. 2: Student reports harassment
An 18-year-old male student reported being harassed by a 19-year-old female student in Carey Hall.
An officer spoke with both students and told them to stop the behavior.
“We get a few of these every year,” VanConant said, adding that some cases can be referred to student conduct.
Sept. 3: Student reports sexual extortion
An 18-year-old male student reported being the victim of sexual extortion by an unknown person while using an online app.
VanConant said the case involved the student exchanging explicit images online before the person threatened to distribute them unless he paid money.
The student reported the incident to the Internet Crime Complaint Center, or IC3. Authorities traced the account to someone overseas.
VanConant said cases involving suspects overseas can be difficult for local police to investigate.
Sept. 7: Firearm complaint at Marriott
A 21-year-old male was reported to have what appeared to be a firearm during an argument in the Marriott Hotel parking lot.
After an investigation and multiple interviews, police executed a search warrant and found a BB handgun from the man’s vehicle.
VanConant said the case is being sent to the prosecutor.
He also noted that BB guns can look very alike to real firearms, making it difficult to determine if a weapon is real during an incident.
"There's no way to tell the difference," he said. "They used to have air soft guns with orange tips, but the BB guns now, they look exactly like a real gun. It's crazy."
Sept. 7: Electric scooters reported stolen
Two students, an 18-year-old and a 21-year-old, reported their electric scooters stolen near the Chippewa Champions Center, on the North end of Kelly/Shorts Stadium.
Officers reviewed surveillance footage and identified an 18-year-old male suspect who was not a CMU student.
Police recovered one scooter, and the case is being sent to the prosecutor.
Sept. 8: Residence hall door damaged
A damaged residence hall door was reported.
No suspect was identified in the information provided to Central Michigan Life.
Sept. 12: Man arrested at football game
A 20-year-old man was arrested after police said he refused to leave a CMU football game at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.
VanConant said the man was shouting obscenities at the opposing team’s bench and players. Officers warned him to stop, but he continued.
The man appeared intoxicated and was asked to leave the game, but refused. Officers escorted him out and arrested the man for disorderly conduct.
In previous years, a tarp separated the student section from the opposing team. The barrier has since been removed, allowing students to get closer to opposing players.
VanConant said the change can create challenges for police, especially when alcohol and large crowds are involved.
"When you put alcohol with 18 or 20-year-old kids, it just doesn't go well," he said.
Surveillance cameras used to investigate crime reports on campus
VanConant said CMU has more than 1,500 surveillance cameras across campus which are primarily used to review incidents after they are reported.
“If something happens, we can pop in live and see what's going on at the event,” VanConant said. “But there's no one that really monitors it full time.”
Residence hall cameras are located in areas including elevators, lobbies and entrances, but do not cover every hallway or floor.
VanConant said the footage can still help officers piece together what happened by showing when someone entered or left an area, even if the incident itself was not caught on camera.
For example, if a bicycle is reported stolen, officers can review footage from nearby areas around the time the theft occurred.
If you witness a crime or are in immediate danger, call 911. For nonemergency situations on campus, call CMUPD at 989-774-3081.
