Crime Alerts and Advisories

CRIME ALERT- ROBBERY

Date Occurred: January 26, 2024

The University of Massachusetts at Amherst Police Department is investigating a robbery that took place on January 26th at approximately 8pm. Four students were in Lot 13 off Olympia Drive when they were approached by two males. One of the males was reportedly wearing a ski mask. After a brief conversation, one of the males demanded the victim’s driver’s licenses and money. The suspects left the immediate area on foot. The Amherst Police and The University of Massachusetts Police were notified of the incident soon after. None of the victims were injured during the incident. The UMPD is currently investigating the incident. Anyone with information about the incident can contact The University of Massachusetts Police Department at 545-2121 or make an anonymous report on-line via Anonymous Witness Form - https://www.umass.edu/umpd/anonymous-witness-form or by calling the tip line at (413)-577-TIPS (8477).

Safety Advisory

Date Occurred: November 11, 2023

**Update 12/4/23** This case has been closed and charges brought forward. Thank you to the officers who spent countless hours working on this case and bringing it to a close.

UMPD is investigating related incidents that occurred Thursday and Saturday mornings involving “bottle bombs” that were likely thrown from a building. These devices are fabricated using materials that create a chemical reaction causing the bottle to swell and explode which can cause injuries and severe chemical burns. Please be aware that even bottles sitting for a while still have the potential to explode due to an unpredictable chemical reaction.

We ask that people remain cautious and examine any discarded bottle carefully from a distance. If the bottle shows signs of swelling or melting, call (413) 545-3111 or 911 and stay clear.

Building or possessing of a destructive or incendiary device to include “bottle bombs” is a violation of Massachusetts General Law. The felony is punishable by up to 5 years in prison or by a fine of not more than $25,000 or by both such fine and imprisonment.

Anyone with information on Saturday's incident is asked to contact the UMass Police Department at (413) 545-2121. If you wish to remain anonymous you may leave a voice message on the TIP line at (413) 577-TIPS (8477). Also available for anonymous reporting is the UMPD anonymous witness form.

Anonymous Witness Form - UMass Police Department - UMass Amherst

...

Aggravated Assault - Information Sought

Date Occurred: 3/4/2023

The University of Massachusetts at Amherst Police Department is investigating an assault that took place on Saturday March 4 at approximately 4:25pm. This incident began on a bus heading southbound on North Pleasant St and spilled out onto the sidewalk in front of the Integrated Learning Center. Several individuals were fighting and one received injuries that required an ambulance response.

The individual pictured here is a person of interest involved in this incident. Anyone with information as to the identity of this individual, or any information regarding others involved in this incident, is urged to contact Lt Brian Henault at UMPD by email at brianh@umass.edu or by phone at (413) 545-2121. Anonymous information can be left at (413) 577-TIPS (8477) or by using the UMPD anonymous witness form at https://www.umass.edu/umpd/anonymous-witness-form.

Crime Alert

Date Occurred: 09/11/2022

CRIME ALERT - Robbery

Date Occurred: 9/11/2022

On 9/11/2022 at approximately 2:30am the University of Massachusetts Police Department received a report of a group of males fighting in the Southwest Residential Area, specifically in the area of Hampden Commons/Southwest Circle. Responding officers discovered that a male had been assaulted with a bottle and his backpack and other belongings stolen. Involved individuals fled the scene and have yet to be identified. The individuals who fled the scene may have run towards Cance Dorm and then eventually down into the Lot 22/33 area.

This investigation is ongoing. UMPD is seeking any witnesses to this incident, or any information regarding the identity of any involved individuals. Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact UMPD Detective Alexandra Wysocki at (413) 545-2121 or by email at alexandraw@admin.umass.edu. Anonymous information can be left at (413) 577-TIPS (8477) or by using the UMPD anonymous witness form at https://www.umass.edu/umpd/anonymous-witness-form.

Personal safety tips can be found on the UMPD website at: http://www.umass.edu/umpd/safety-guidelines

Hit and Run Incident - Information Sought

Date Occurred: 3/21/2022

UPDATE 3/24/2022: VEHICLE HAS BEEN LOCATED AND A SUSPECT HAS BEEN PLACED IN CUSTODY. UMPD would like to thank our community for all of the assistance that was received regarding this incident. This is still an ongoing investigation; further information will come from the Northwestern District Attorney's Office.

The University of Massachusetts at Amherst Police Department is seeking assistance in identifying the driver of an SUV who failed to stop after striking a pedestrian crossing Massachusetts Avenue in a crosswalk around 10:15 p.m. Monday. A 20-year-old UMass Amherst student was crossing Massachusetts Avenue in a crosswalk near Sunset Avenue, having nearly reached the other side, when a white or silver colored SUV traveling eastbound at a high rate of speed struck him with the front driver’s side of the vehicle. The vehicle failed to stop and continued travelling eastbound on Massachusetts Avenue. The pedestrian was seriously injured, taken to Baystate Medical Center, where he remains. The vehicle appears to be a white/silver SUV with possible front-end damage (see attached images). The crash remains under investigation by the UMass Police Department, Massachusetts State Police Detectives attached to the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office, State Police Crime Scene Services Section and the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section. The Northwestern District Attorney's Office issued a press release regarding the incident on Tuesday. “We are not only appealing to the public for their help identifying the driver involved in this incident, but appealing to the driver as well,” said Northwestern First Assistant District Attorney Steven Gagne. “What happened last night is likely weighing on their conscience, and this is their opportunity to do the right thing by coming forward.”

Update on Incident Near University Health Services

Date Occurred: October 26, 2021

October 26, 2021 3:15pm

Earlier today, police responded to a call regarding an individual threatening to harm himself near University Health Services. UMass Police, Amherst Police and the Massachusetts State Police engaged the male individual quickly and brought him into custody without incident. No one was injured and there is no ongoing threat to the community.

A handgun and ammunition were found inside the individual’s vehicle. He has been transported to an area hospital. The person is not a student, staff or faculty member at UMass Amherst.

We know that events such as this can cause general stress and anxiety. When something is bothering you, talking about it is often the first step toward feeling better. The Center For Counseling and Psychological Health offers daily informal drop-in sessions for students to share what’s on their mind, find support, and get recommendations. Find out more about ‘Let’s Talk’ sessions from CCPH .

UMass Police became involved in this matter at approximately 12:30 p.m. on Oct. 26. They were notified by the Amherst Police Department (APD) that APD was in contact with an individual who was speaking on the phone to a male who was threatening to harm himself; the person said he was on campus near University Health Services (UHS). UMPD officers responded to the area near UHS and searched, but then determined the individual was allegedly off campus at a location in North Amherst.

UMPD officers continued to stay near UHS to protect the campus community. APD then advised they were following the individual toward campus as he was driving south down North Pleasant Street at the roundabout with Eastman Lane. As the vehicle continued south on North Pleasant Street, UMPD issued an emergency text and email alert to the campus at approximately 12:40 p.m., advising the campus community to...

Crime Alert - Breaking and Entering

Date Occurred: 9/14/2021

On 9/14 between the hours of 9:30 PM and 2:00 AM, students residing at Pierpont Dorm reported that their room was entered by unknown person(s) while both residents were sleeping. Multiple items were stolen from the room. The door to the dorm room was unlocked at the time of this incident.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact UMPD Officer Nick Thomann at (413) 545-2121 or by email at nthomann@umass.edu. This investigation is ongoing. Anonymous information can be left at (413) 577-TIPS (8477) or by using the UMPD anonymous witness form at https://www.umass.edu/umpd/anonymous-witness-form.

Remember: Like It. Lock It. Keep It. If you leave your room, or are going to sleep for the night, lock your door to protect your belongings. More personal safety tips can be found on the UMPD website at: http://www.umass.edu/umpd/safety-guidelines

Crime Alert - Robbery

Date Occurred: May 1, 2021

On 5/1/2021 at approximately 10:35pm, the UMass Amherst Police Department received a third-party report of a person being chased and/or assaulted. Related to this incident, two students have reported being robbed of money by an unknown person. This incident began in the Worcester Commons parking lot and resulted in person(s) running in the direction of the Campus Center Garage.

UMPD is seeking to identify a person possibly involved in the incident, described as a male, dark complexion, wearing a black long-sleeve shirt, black pants, red-and-white sneakers, and carrying a bag. That individual ran westbound from behind Worcester Commons at approximately 10:30pm, followed by two individuals described as #1 - male, light complexion, long sleeve black shirt, dark shorts, black sneakers and #2 - male, light complexion, wearing a red jersey with the #97, white hat, dark pants.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact UMPD Officer Jeff Silva at (413) 545-2121. The investigation is continuing, including a review of all camera footage in the area. Anonymous information can be left at (413) 577-TIPS (8477) or by using the UMPD anonymous witness form at https://www.umass.edu/umpd/anonymous-witness-form.

Personal safety tips can be found on the UMPD website at: http://www.umass.edu/umpd/safety-guidelines

Advisory - Online Job Posting Scams

Date Occurred: 09/12/2020

Members of the UMass community have fallen victim to these latest scams around job postings. Please know that if a job opportunity is asking you to send them money, it most likely is a scam. If you are in doubt, look into the job very carefully. Please use the information and resources below that Career Services has provided so you do not become the next victim.

Beware of people that might try to scam college students! (Updated June 2019)

The UMass Career Development & Professional Connections Hub wants you to be aware of possible employment scams. As you conduct a job or internship search, keep in mind…that if a job seems “too good to be true”, be careful!“False contacts” can masquerade under a legitimate company name. Watch for misspellings, extra letters, phrases, etc. that are added to emails or website addresses or overzealous “recruiters”. All students are encouraged to exercise their own good judgment when evaluating a prospective job or internship.Remember:

i. Never give out any personal or banking information.ii. Never agree to deposit a check or money order into your bank account from a company to start the work.iii. Never agree to send money to another individual.iv. Legitimate company contacts will never ask you do any of these things.There are various employment scams designed to gain access to people’s money, bank account information, social security number, or identity. These scams are sometimes posted on online job boards, websites, in newspapers, or via e-mail.The Career Development Hub & our college-based Career Centers do our best to block fake/fraudulent contacts from posting positions in Handshake. However, due to the deceptive means by which scammers post jobs, we cannot guarantee the validity of every employer, job posted or outside website that might not screen for this.

If you are suspicious or concerned about a company or job posting you find either on Handshake or on an outside job board, please...

Advisory - Email and Text Scams

Date Occurred: February 12, 2020

**Important information about current scams**

The university has become aware of recent email scams and text messaging scams targeting students, faculty and staff. Recently email scams and text messaging scams are appearing to be sent from university administrators requesting you to complete chores for them or appearing from your supervisor asking you to complete tasks that you would not usually do. If you receive an email or text from a university administrator, or anyone that seems out of the ordinary ask questions to make sure the request is truly from the sender. Never give out personnel information, DOB, SS#, Spire #, bank accounts or other information that could give scammers access to accounts.

If you receive an email or text that you believe is a scam, please notify IT. To report phishing messages, submit them as an attachment to the address: itprotect@umass.edu.

What is a text message scam?

A text message scam, also known as a SMiShing attack, is a form of phishing. Phishing refers to using an email or phone message as a bait or lure to trick an unsuspecting target into divulging valuable information, such as account numbers, passwords, Social Security number, and the like, or to trick him or her into downloading malware onto a computer. With a text message scam, similar techniques are used, except the medium used is the text message.

There are a variety of ways that this type of scam may work. One way is to frighten the recipient. A message purporting to come from a financial institution is sent saying that an account will be closed or has been defaulted on, or that charges will be made to the recipient’s account unless the recipient makes contact and provides necessary information, such as the bank account number,...

Crime Alert - Assault and Battery

Date Occurred: October 26, 2019

Update: November 7, 2019 4:11pm - The main suspect in this case has been identified by a member of the community, thank you for your assistance.

On October 26, 2019 at 5:07pm UMPD was notified that a male had just been assaulted by three other males in the area of Massachusetts Avenue and Sunset Avenue. Officers responding to the scene found the victim with significant head injuries from the reported assault. The victim was unable to provide information on the suspects and was immediately transported to the hospital. A number of witnesses came forward with physical descriptions of three college-aged, white male suspects. The main aggressor was described as a white male, wearing a grey, plaid, flannel long-sleeve shirt, blue jeans and a Carhartt winter cap. Please see the attached photo, UMPD is requesting your assistance in identifying this suspect. The description of the other two males is very limited, only that they were wearing hooded sweatshirts. Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact UMPD Officer Allison Fenton at (413) 545-2121. The investigation is continuing, including a review of all camera footage in the area. Anonymous information can be left at (413) 577-TIPS (8477) or by using the UMPD anonymous witness form at https://www.umass.edu/umpd/anonymous-witness-form.

Personal safety tips can be found on the UMPD website at: http://www.umass.edu/umpd/safety-guidelines

CA: 03-19-21258

Advisory - Online Job Posting Scams

Date Occurred: 09/1/2019

Beware of people that might try to scam college students! (Updated June 2019)

If you are suspicious or concerned about a company or job posting you find either on Handshake or on an outside job board, please...

Advisory - Request for Information

Date Occurred: 5/14/2019

The UMass Amherst Police Department is seeking help in identifying the individual in the attached photographs in relation to a stolen bicycle case.

At approximately 11pm on May 14, 2019 this individual was captured on video breaking a cable bike lock and stealing a bicycle from the bike racks outside of the John Olver Design Building. The theft occurred on the North Pleasant St side of the building. The stolen bike is a light green Schwinn mountain bike with flat handlebars. The individual appears to be a white male with brown hair, in his 20s or 30s. At the time of the theft he had a mustache and goatee.

If you know the identity of this individual or have any information regarding this case please email Officer Robert Sweet at sweet@umass.edu or call (413) 545-2121. Anonymous tip information can be left at (413) 545-TIPS (8477) or by using the UMPD anonymous witness form at https://www.umass.edu/umpd/anonymous-witness-form.

Thank you for your assistance.

Advisory - Request for Information

Date Occurred: June 3, 2019

Update June 4, 2019 1243hrs. A number of people have stepped forward to identify this suspect, UMPD is no longer seeking information on this case, thank you for your assistance.

The UMass Amherst Police Department is seeking help in identification of the individual in the attached photographs. At 10:57AM on June 3, 2019 he was captured on video cutting a bike lock and stealing a bicycle from the bike racks outside the John Olver Design Building. He appears to be a white male, average height and husky build. He has dark hair that is closely shaved, a beard, but no mustache. At the time of the incident he was wearing a t-shirt with large red and white horizontal stripes,dark gray shorts with a light plaid pattern, brown shoes, white framed sunglasses, and a dark gray backpack with ‘Under Armor’ down the middle of the back in green letters. The bike is a black Cannondale, women’s hybrid mountain bike style, serial number YC58355. It is valued at $1400 and was the victim’s primary method of getting to work. If you know the identity of this individual or have any information regarding this case please email Officer Jeff Skinner at JSkinner@umass.edu or call 413-545-2121. Anonymous tip information can be left at (413) 545-TIPS (8477) or by using the UMPD anonymous witness form at https://www.umass.edu/umpd/anonymous-witness-form

Thank you for your assistance.

Advisory - Request for Information

Date Occurred: April 12, 2019

On Friday, April 12, 2019, at approximately 10:40 PM, the Amherst Police responded to a motor vehicle accident in which a pedestrian was fatally injured. The accident occurred in the area of the crosswalk at 1001 North Pleasant Street (Crestview Apartments). Anyone who was in the area and may have information, specifically, anyone traveling on the PVTA Bus routes, is asked to call Amherst Police Detective Joshua Harris at 413-259-3010. The incident remains under investigation. Thank you.

Crime Alert - Assault and Battery, Robbery

Date Occurred: March 27, 2019

UPDATE #2: Friday, March 29, 2019 - The third suspect in this case has been apprehended and will be arraigned in Belchertown District Court. All suspects have now been identified. Thank you for your assistance.

UPDATE #1: Thursday, March 28, 2019 - Two suspects in this case have been apprehended and are being arraigned in Belchertown District Court today. UMPD is still looking to identify a lone 3rd male suspect as shown the second posted below. This case remains under investigation.

ORIGINAL CRIME ALERT: At 2:40pm today, Wednesday March 27, 2019 UMass Police responded to a report of a possible physical altercation on the 3rd floor of Dwight Hall. Multiple officers responded and were unable to locate any involved persons before they cleared the scene. Later in the afternoon, a witness to the altercation contacted UMPD and provided additional details which led UMPD to a specific room in Dwight Hall. During the second response it was then discovered that two UMass students had been assaulted following an attempted drug transaction involving marijuana. It was further determined an initial altercation had taken place inside Dwight Hall, which then continued into the parking lot where a firearm was exhibited by two male suspects. The suspects fled the scene in a red vehicle, unknown make/model. Neither of the UMass students were in need of medical attention following the incident. The male suspects are known to one of the UMass students who is cooperating with police. UMPD is pursuing multiple leads, including surveillance video. UMPD is seeking community assistance in identifying the suspects and preventing further harm to the community. If you see these suspects or the vehicle do not approach, call UMPD immediately.

Suspect description:

#1 White male, college age, short blond hair, 5’9” to 5’10”, facial hair, white tee shirt, blue jeans. #2 White male, college age, thin, brown hair, 6’1”, bright red sweatshirt, blue jeans, white/...

Advisory - Continued Job/E-Mail Scams

Date Occurred: 3/21/2019

This semester, UMPD has received several reports of students being cheated out of money and/or personal identifying information through scams involving fake jobs or other fraudulent circumstances. Students are initially contacted via email or through postings on a jobs board. They are then asked to either wire money to, cash bad checks for, and/or purchase gift cards for the “employer”. These types of scams have caused some significant financial losses for members of our community.

To protect yourself from this type of activity, UMPD recommends the following:

* Do NOT submit your personal identifying information to anyone via email or text. No professional agency will request this information and demand a response via email.

* If it sounds too good to be true – it probably is. No one is legitimately going to “employ” you to cash checks and buy gift cards.

* Don’t expect that a suspicious-sounding job is legitimate just because it is posted on a trusted site or job board. If it seems suspicious, leave it alone, regardless of where you heard about it.

* Don’t assume that because an email to you contains some real information about you, that it is legitimate. It is easy for scammers to get information such as your school or hometown online.

If you believe that you have fallen victim to a scam, contact the UMass Police Department at (413) 545-2121 to file a report.

Crime Alert - B&E, Theft from a Building

Date Occurred: November 17, 2018

The University Police Department is requesting assistance in identifying the male and female pictured in this surveillance photo taken at the Herter Hall Café on November 17, 2018. At approximately 9:11 p.m. on that date these suspects broke into a storage area and stole numerous items of value. UMPD is asking anyone with information related to the identity of these suspects to please contact UMPD at (413) 545-2121. Anonymous information can be left at (413) 577-TIPS (8477) or by using the UMPD anonymous witness form at https://www.umass.edu/umpd/anonymous-witness-form Thank you.

Advisory - Email Scam

Date Occurred: October 25, 2018

During the period from September 25th to October 17th, the UMPD has taken several reports of financial scams through the use of email. Students are sent emails soliciting very promising job prospects with the offer to prepay for work. Students are requested to provide personal information, including name, date of birth, address and phone number before the check is sent. In some instances, students were asked to set up an alternate email address. Once interest is confirmed, students were sent checks and asked to deposit them into their bank account and then make money transfers or purchase gift cards before the checks are confirmed as valid. Anyone with information regarding fraudulent activity should contact UMPD Officers Bak or Fenton at (413)-545-2121. The UMass Amherst Police Department also recommends taking the following actions if you receive these types of communications: • Do not wire money to unknown parties • Do not divulge any personal information via email. • Do not meet in person with the caller/emailer under any circumstances • Ask probing questions and gather as much information as possible • Contact the UMass Amherst Police Department at (413) 545-2121 immediately.

Advisory - Larceny

Date Occurred: October 11, 2018

On October 11, 2018 a UMass student reported being approached by two females while on one of the upper floors of the W.E.B. Du Bois Library. The females may have been requesting donations for a fundraiser called, “Child’s Joy”; it is unknown at this time if that is a legitimate charity or other concern. One of the females suspects put their arm around the student to distract the victim while the other took the student’s debit card from her wallet and quickly swiped it through a device in an apparent attempt to copy it. These actions were done without the student’s consent. The female suspects were described as approximately 25-30 years of age with black hair, possibly of Filipino descent. UMPD is also following up on a similar report that occurred in the lobby of the Integrated Learning Center on the same day and these suspects may have engaged in similar behavior in the Du Bois Library, and elsewhere on campus, in the past. Anyone with information regarding this incident or related incidents, or who may have information regarding the identities of the suspects is encouraged to contact Ofc. Alison Fenton of UMPD at (413) 545-2121 or online at http://www.umass.edu/umpd/anonymous-witness-form

Call # 18-20768

Advisory - Facebook Scams

Date Occurred: 9/28/18

*Do not accept Facebook friend requests from people you do not know.*

There have been several reports of people accessing personal information, photos, and videos through spyware. The targeted individuals are then asked to pay money in order for their photos and videos to not be shared publicly. If money is given, they will then ask for more. If you have been a victim of this type of scam, please contact the UMass Police Department and consider bringing your computer equipment to OIT or another computer services company to have it checked for spyware.

TIPS:

* do not accept Facebook friend requests from people you do not know

* cover your computer/laptop camera when not in use

* never give money to someone who threatens to post your personal information, photos, or videos

* always contact police if you believe you are the victim of extortion

Crime Alert - Snapchat threat against "Southwest"

Date Occurred: 03/01/18

UMPD has investigated a threat referencing "Southwest". This threat is unfounded. The threat was targeting Southwest Middle School, Charlotte, North Carolina. The Charlotte Police Department has made an arrest in this case.

Crime Alert - Theft from a Building

Date Occurred: Various Dates

Update 12/8/17: UMPD would like to thank the community for their prompt responses, this person and has been identified.

UMPD is investigating several mailboxes being broken into in the Sylvan Residential Area. Within the past few weeks, multiple students have reported their mailboxes were broken into and had mail removed from them in both Brown and McNamara Residential Halls. Through the investigation of these reports, officers have captured a person of interest on the security cameras. This person has been “tailgating” students into the residence halls and does not appear to be a resident in the Sylvan area. UMPD is looking to identify the individual in the attached two photographs. Anyone with information about this person or these crimes is encouraged to contact UMPD Officer Liptak or Officer Sweet at (413) 545-2121. Anonymous information can be left at (413) 577-TIPS (8477) or by using the UMPD anonymous witness form at https://www.umass.edu/umpd/anonymous-witness-form. UMPD is working with the UMass Residence Service Offices to have mail temporarily redirected to the mail offices so students can retrieve their mail directly. While the responsibility for the stolen items in these cases rests solely on the perpetrator, students are reminded to not let anyone enter a residence hall behind them and request that relatives or others do not send cash in the mail.

CA 07-17-23657

Crime Alert - Theft from a Motor Vehicle

Date Occurred: 09/17/2017

On 9/17/2017 the UMass Police Department received a report of a theft from a motor vehicle that took place in the area of Rudd Field on Stadium Drive. The vehicle, which had the doors locked, had been accessed through an open sunroof. Items within the vehicle were stolen, including a wallet containing credit cards. One of the stolen credit cards was fraudulently used at the Target department store in Hadley, MA. UMPD is looking to identify the person of interest in the accompanying photo, taken from in-store video footage. Anyone with information regarding the individual in this photo, or any information regarding this crime, is encouraged to contact Officer Justin Green of UMPD at (413) 545-2121, the anonymous tip line at (413) 577-TIPS (8477) or by using the UMPD anonymous witness form at: https://www.umass.edu/umpd/anonymous-witness-form.

While the responsibility for criminal behavior rests solely with the perpetrator(s), UMPD encourages our community to take the following precautions to prevent similar crimes: - Lock your vehicle. Do not leave your vehicle unlocked, even if only for a few minutes. Be sure to check your doors, windows, sunroof, trunk, or any other access point to make sure they are secure before you leave the area. - Do not leave valuables in your vehicle. If you must leave items in your vehicle, do not leave them in a place where they are plainly visible. Register all your valuables with UMPD's Project Protect. - For more information please go to: https://www.umass.edu/umpd/project-protect .

CA 06-17-18295

Crime Alert - Burglary/Thefts from Residence Halls

Date Occurred: Various Dates

UPDATE: 5/2/17 We thank the community for your assistance, a suspect has been identified.

UMPD is investigating several reports of stolen laptops and cell phones and wish to prevent additional thefts from occurring during the end of the semester. Within the past week, a number of laptops have been stolen from various residence hall rooms. On April 20th , an unlocked residence hall room was entered in Moore Hall and a Mac Pro laptop was stolen. On April 26th, an unlocked residence hall room was entered in Kennedy Hall and a Mac Pro laptop and a blue Puma bag were stolen. On April 28th , two additional rooms in Moore Hall were entered and a Mac Pro laptop was stolen from one room and a small amount of cash and a cell phone from the other. There are no suspect descriptors at this time.

Anyone with information about these types of crimes is encouraged to contact UMPD. Anonymous information can be left at (413) 577-TIPS (8477) or by using the UMPD anonymous witness form at https://www.umass.edu/umpd/anonymous-witness-form

While the responsibility for criminal behavior rests solely with the perpetrator(s), UMPD encourages our community to take the following precautions to prevent similar crimes: •Do not leave your room door open or unlocked while you are away, even if only for a few minutes. •Do not leave valuables unattended where they are easily seen and quickly taken. This applies not only to residence hall rooms but also to classrooms, the library, your car, etc. •Register the valuables that you bring on-campus with UMPD’s Project Protect. For more information please see http://www.umass.edu/umpd/project-protect

CA 05-17-8585

Crime Alert - Lewis Hall Burglary/Theft

Date Occurred: April 15, 2017

UPDATE: 5/2/17 We thank the community for your assistance, a suspect has been identified.

The University of Massachusetts Amherst Police Department is investigating a burglary that occurred in Lewis Hall on Saturday, April 15, 2017 between 5:15pm and 5:45pm. The victims have reported their unoccupied and unlocked rooms were entered by an unknown subject. Items stolen included a silver Dell XPS 15 laptop computer, a Google Nexus cellphone and a pair of white Superstar Adidas shoes. A second room was entered by the suspect and upon seeing the room was occupied, the suspect left the area. UMPD is looking to identify the individual in the attached photos in regard to the incident. Anyone with information about this crime is encouraged to contact UMPD. Anonymous information can be left at (413) 577-TIPS (8477) or by using the UMPD anonymous witness form at https://www.umass.edu/umpd/anonymous-witness-form

UMPD urges students to take precautions to avoid similar thefts, these include:

•Do not leave your room door open or unlocked while you are away, even if only for a few minutes.

•Do not leave valuables unattended where they are easily seen and quickly taken. This applies not only to residence hall rooms but also to classrooms, the library, your car, etc.

•Register the valuables that you bring on-campus with UMPD’s Project Protect. For more information please see http://www.umass.edu/umpd/project-protect

CA 04-17-8244

Advisory - Threat to Commit a Crime

Date Occurred: April 11, 2017

On April 11, 2017 at approximately 11:20 p.m., the University of Massachusetts Amherst Police Department responded to Coolidge Hall to investigate a bomb threat made against a student and the campus. There is no indication that anyone in or near the building was in any actual danger of being harmed. An arrest was promptly made, and the matter remains under investigation. The suspect is not a student or an employee of UMass. Details of the incident are being released in coordination with the Northwestern District Attorney’s investigation. Abdul F. Ismail, 27, of Hadley, was arraigned today in Eastern Hampshire District Court on charges of making a bomb threat (in violation of General Laws c. 269, sec. 14) and threatening to commit a crime (in violation of General Laws c. 275, sec. 2). He was ordered held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing scheduled for Tuesday, April 18, 2017. He will be held at the Hampshire County House of Correction in the meantime. Ismail was arrested early on the morning of April 12 by UMass Police, assisted by Hadley Police, at Ismail’s residence in Hadley. This followed a UMass Police investigation of verbal threats Ismail allegedly made on the evening of April 11 while visiting a UMass student in Coolidge Hall. Upon hearing the threatening comments, the student escorted Ismail from the building and promptly contacted authorities. The suspect has also been immediately trespassed from the UMass campus for two years by UMass Police.

CA # 03-17-7970

Crime Alert - Assault and Battery

Date Occurred: February 2, 2017 approximately 2:00 AM

On Feburary 2, 2017 at 7:40pm UMPD was notified that a female UMass student was assaulted at approximately 2:00am that same day in Lot #22 by an unknown person. The assault consisted of a person approaching the female from behind and punching her on the side of the head, knocking her to the ground. The victim was unable to obtain any description of the person who assaulted her. The investigation is continuing, including a review of all camera footage in the area. Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact UMPD Officer Chris Stechmann at (413) 545-2121. Anonymous information can be left at (413) 577-TIPS (8477) or by using the UMPD anonymous witness form at https://www.umass.edu/umpd/anonymous-witness-form.

Personal safety tips can be found on the UMPD website at: http://www.umass.edu/umpd/safety-guidelines

CA - 02-17-2298

Crime Alert - Theft from Cance Hall

Date Occurred: January 25, 2017

Cance Hall - Breaking and Entering Photo #1

Cance Hall - Breaking and Entering Photo #2

The University of Massachusetts Police Department is investigating a theft that occurred in Cance Hall on January 25th between the hours of 11:20am and 12:15pm. The victim reported his unoccupied, unlocked room was entered by unknown subjects and numerous items were taken from the room. Items reported stolen include a black HP game computer with a red keyboard, a blue and orange bomber jacket, a black suitcase and a significant amount of cash. Police have reason to believe the suspects targeted this victim due to prior knowledge of significant cash in the room.

UMPD is requesting your assistance in identifying the individuals in the three accompanying photographs. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact UMPD Officer Lisa Billiel at (413) 545-2121; anonymous information can be left at (413) 577-TIPS (8477) or by using the UMPD anonymous witness form at https://www.umass.edu/umpd/anonymous-witness-form

UMPD encourages our community to take the following precautions to prevent similar crimes: LOCK YOUR DOORS Do not leave your room door open or unlocked while you are away, even if only for a few minutes, and especially while you are asleep. Do not leave valuables unattended where they are easily seen and quickly taken. This applies not only to residence halls but also to classrooms, the library, your car, etc. Register valuables that you bring to campus with UMPD's Project Protect. For more information please see http://www.umass.edu/umpd/project-protect

CA 01-17-1641

Crime Alert - Motor Vehicle Theft/Breaking and Entering

Date Occurred: 9/16 - 9/17/2016

On 9/17/2016 the UMass Police Department received two reports of crimes that took place overnight from 9/16 - 9/17 in the parking lots along Orchard Hill Drive.

One vehicle, which had been parked in Lot 49 by Chadbourne/Greenough in the evening hours of 9/16, had been accessed through a partially open window; a spare key kept inside allowed the suspect(s) to start the vehicle and drive it away. The vehicle was discovered missing on 9/17, and was soon after located in a nearby parking lot.

The second vehicle had been parked in Lot 49 north of Baker Hall at approximately 10:00pm on 9/16. On 9/17 the owner discovered that it had been entered through an unlocked door and that items inside, including a laptop computer, had been stolen.

Anyone with information regarding these crimes is encouraged to contact Officer David Ortiz of UMPD at (413) 545-2121, the anonymous tip line at (413) 577-TIPS (8477) or by using the UMPD anonymous witness form at: https://www.umass.edu/umpd/anonymous-witness-form.

While the responsibility for criminal behavior rests solely with the perpetrator(s), UMPD encourages our community to take the following precautions to prevent similar crimes:

LOCK YOUR VEHICLE. Do not leave your vehicle unlocked while parked, even if only for a few minutes. Be sure to check your doors, windows, and trunk to make sure they are secure before you leave the area. Do not leave valuables in your vehicle; if you must leave items in your vehicle, do not leave them in places where they are plainly visible. Register the valuables that you bring on-campus with UMPD's Project Protect. For more information please see https://www.umass.edu/umpd/project-protect .

Crime Alert - Indecent Assault and Battery

Date Occurred: 09/03/16

On September 4, 2016 at 8:35am, the University Police Department received a report of a past indecent assault and battery that occurred during the early hours of September 3, 2016. Following an investigation UMPD arrested Samuel Texidor, age 18, of 130 St. Kolbe Drive Holyoke, MA Texidor is being charged with Indecent Assault and Battery. The investigation revealed on September 3, 2016 at approximately 3:30am Texidor approached the female victim (a current UMass student) off campus and identified himself as an UBER driver. Texidor then offered the victim a free ride from Townhouse Apartments to North Apartments, located on campus. During this drive the victim was indecently assaulted by the suspect outside of North Apartments. The victim demanded that Texidor stop the vehicle, which he did and she was able to exit at that time. UMPD is actively investigating this case, there are indications the suspect may have approached others to offer free rides, bypassing the UBER registration process. Texidor was driving a 2014 Black Dodge Charger with Mass. Registration plates 5SV875 at the time of these incidents. Anyone with information that may relate to this type of behavior is encouraged to contact UMPD at (413)-545-2121, the anonymous tip line at (413) 577-TIPS (8477) or by using the UMPD anonymous witness form at: https://www.umass.edu/umpd/anonymous-witness-form. The suspect was arraigned at Belchertown District Court on Tuesday September 6, 2016 and is being held without a right to bail.

The following are suggested personal safety tips:

- Verify UBER driver credentials against the confirmation you receive from the service before entering a UBER vehicle. When you're matched with a driver, you will see their name, license plate number, photo, and rating --- so you know who is picking you up. - Customer requests via the app. is the recommended way to...

Advisory - Phone/Email Scams

Date Occurred: 8/29/16

A new School year has started and so have the Phishing scams. For more info in regards to these and other scams please refer to our webpage: https://www.umass.edu/umpd/phone-and-phishing-scams

The UMass Amherst Police Department recommends you take the following actions if you receive this type of email or phone call:

Do not wire money Do not divulge any personal information Do not meet with the caller/emailer under any circumstances Ask probing questions and gather as much information as possible Contact the UMass Amherst Police Department at (413) 545-2121 immediately

Advisory - Investigating Counterfeit Currency on Campus

Date Occurred: 07/11/2016

We thank the community for your assistance, a suspect has been identified.

The University of Massachusetts Police Department is investigating the passing of counterfeit currency. On July 11, 2016 an individual traveled to various locations on the UMASS-Amherst campus and paid for merchandise using counterfeit bills. UMPD is looking to identify this individual in regards to the incident. If you can help identify the individual in the images below, please contact Detective Napoli at 413-545-2121 or via email at djnapoli@admin.umass.edu Anonymous tips can be called in to 413-577-TIPS (8477) or by using UMPD’s anonymous witness form at https://www.umass.edu/umpd/anonymous-witness-form

Crime Alert - Thefts from Sycamore Hall

Date Occurred: 5/31/16

The University of Massachusetts Police Department is investigating thefts that have occurred at Sycamore Hall on May 31st and June 1st. The victims have reported their unoccupied, unlocked rooms were entered by unknown subject(s); as of this time, two rooms have been illegally entered and five individuals are reporting cash has been stolen. Anyone with information related to these crimes is encouraged to contact UMPD Officer Michael Billiel at (413) 545-2121; anonymous information can be left at (413) 577-TIPS(8477) or by using the UMPD anonymous witness form at https://www.umass.edu/umpd/anonymous-witness-form

UMPD encourages our community to take the following precautions to prevent similar crimes: • LOCK YOUR DOORS. Do not leave your room door open or unlocked while you are away, even if only for a few minutes, and especially while you are asleep. • Do not leave valuables unattended where they are easily seen and quickly taken. This applies not only to dorm rooms but also to classrooms, the library, your car, etc. • Register the valuables that you bring on-campus with UMPD’s Project Protect. For more information please see http://www.umass.edu/umpd/project-protect

Crime Alert - Aggravated Burglary

Date Occurred: May 1, 2016

Update to Crime Alert: Sunday May 1, 2016 8:20pm - The third and final suspect has been identified and arrested by UMPD, thank you for your assistance. No further information is needed.

On Sunday May 1, 2016 at 4:44am UMass Amherst Police responded to a report of an aggravated burglary in progress in Washington Hall. The victims reported three masked men attempting to enter rooms on numerous floors in the hall. Upon arrival, responding officers identified and arrested two suspects as they were fleeing from a room. The third, unidentified suspect remains at large at this time. He is believed to be a white male, thin build, dark hair wearing a grey/blue hooded sweatshirt. Please see the attached photo for more information. Two of the suspects were found to have knives in their possession, however no one was threatened or physically harmed during the crime.

The UMass Police Department is investigating this crime. If you can help identify the third individual involved, please contact investigating Officer J. Minich by calling the UMass Police at 413-545-2121 or via email at jminich@admin.umass.edu Anonymous tips can also be provided by calling 413-577-TIPS (8477) or by using the UMPD anonymous witness form at https://www.umass.edu/umpd/anonymous-witness-form

For safety guidelines on residence hall access and security please follow the link below.

http://www.umass.edu/umpd/residence-halls-access-security-and-safety-gui...

Crime Alert - Assault and Battery, Attempted Robbery

Date Occurred: April 18, 2016

Updated April 28, 2016: This case has been closed. Thank you for your assistance.

On April 18, 2016 at 10:21 pm UMass Amherst Police responded to a report of an assault and battery and unarmed, attempted robbery that occurred at 9:00 pm outside Moore Hall in the Southwest Residential Area. The victim reported he was knocked to the ground and believed the suspects were going to take cash from him but were unsuccessful when he ran from the area. No weapon was shown and the victim did not require medical attention. The description of the two suspects are one dark-skinned male with facial hair and an afro and a second male of unknown race wearing shorts, an orange hat and a brown heavy jacket with a grey jersey underneath.

The UMass Police Department is investigating this crime. If you can help identify the individuals involved, please contact investigating Officer Whelihan by calling UMass Police at 413-545-2121 or via email at kwhelihan@umass.edu Anonymous tips can be provided by calling 413-577-TIPS (8477) or by using UMPD anonymous witness form at https://www.umass.edu/umpd/anonymous-witness-form

Personal safety tips can be found on the University Police website at www.umass.edu/umpd/safety-guidelines.

CA: 04-16-8779

Crime Alert - Thefts from the Fine Arts Center

Date Occurred: April 8, 2016

Alert Update: April 11, 2016 These individuals have been identified, thank you for your help.

On April 8, 2016 UMPD responded to the Fine Arts Center to investigate several thefts that were reported to have occurred between 12:20pm-12:40pm. Officers learned that numerous items were stolen from unattended backpacks left in the building. During the follow-up investigation UMPD reviewed video surveillance footage and is looking to question two individuals in regard to the thefts. It was later discovered that these same individuals are also suspects in a breaking and entering to a motor vehicle in the Town of Amherst where a debit card was stolen and fraudulently used. At this time the Amherst and UMass Police Departments are investigating these crimes. If you can help identify the individuals in the images below, please contact investigating Officers Griffin or Chapman by calling UMass Police at 413-545-2121 or via email at tgriffin@umass.edu or wchapman@umass.edu. Anonymous tips can be called in to 413-577-TIPS (8477) or by using UMPD’s anonymous witness form at https://www.umass.edu/umpd/anonymous-witness-form

Unsecured, unattended backpacks and vehicles allowed these thieves to take property. Please secure your valuables to help deter criminals, and if you see something, say something! CA: 03-16-7798

Advisory - IRS E-mail Scams

Date Occurred: 1/14/16

The IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email, text messages or social media channels to request personal or financial information. This includes requests for PIN numbers, passwords or similar access information for credit cards, banks or other financial accounts.

If you receive an email that you feel is fraudulent, do not open any attachments or respond in any way. Visit the following websites to find out what steps you can take:

http://www.mass.gov/ago/consumer-resources/consumer-information/scams-and-identity-theft/

https://www.irs.gov/uac/IRS-Urges-Public-to-Stay-Alert-for-Scam-Phone-Calls

https://www.irs.gov/uac/Report-Phishing

Crime Alert - Sexual Assault

Date Occurred: 12/11/2015

Crime Alert – Sexual Assault

Date Occurred: 12/11/2015

Crime Alert Number: 6-15-28828

The University of Massachusetts Police Department has received a report of a sexual assault that is reported to have taken place at approximately 1am in the area of the Studio Arts Building on North Pleasant Street.

The victim stated that she was walking in the area of the north side of the Studio Arts Building, by the construction site, when she was joined by an unidentified male. This male individual walked with her briefly, then pushed her to the ground and sexually assaulted her.

The suspect is described as college-aged, wearing casual clothing. There is no further identifying information available at this time. Anyone with information related to this crime is encouraged to contact UMPD at (413) 545-2121; anonymous information can be left at (413) 577-TIPS or online at: http://www.umass.edu/umpd/anonymous-witness-form.

UMPD advises our community to always be safety-minded, and offers the following tips for safety on campus:

When you go out, let a friend or roommate know where you will be and when you will return. Avoid walking alone at night. If you feel unsafe, use the Walking Escort Service, available from 7pm to 3am each night during the academic semester. Call (413) 545-2123 to make arrangements for a walking escort. If you are out after dark, use only well-lit routes. Walk near the curb and avoid passing close to shrubs, dark doorways, and other hiding places. Be alert and trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable about someone near you, head for a populated area. Make note of the location of HELP phones (blue-light phones) in your immediate area. Report suspicious activity to the police.

More safety information can be found on our website at http://www.umass.edu/...

Crime Alert - Off-Campus (Puffton Village) Armed Robbery

Date Occurred: 11/18/2015

The University of Massachusetts Police Department has been informed that the Amherst Police Department is investigating an alleged armed robbery that took place earlier this evening.

The alleged incident took place at Puffton Village Apartments which are located north of the UMass-Amherst campus, adjacent to North Village Apartments. It is reported that the victim exited a bus and was approached by two male individuals, dressed all in black. These individuals displayed a gun and demanded money. At this time there is no reason to believe that an imminent risk exists for the UMass community; police are patrolling the area and the Amherst Police Detective Bureau is continuing the investigation.

Anyone with information related to this investigation should contact the Amherst Police Department, Detective Bureau, at (413) 259-3000.

Personal safety tips can be found on the University Police website at www.umass.edu/umpd/safety-guidelines.

Crime Alert - Off-Campus Alleged Armed Robbery

Date Occurred: 11/6/2015

The Amherst Police Department is investigating an alleged off-campus armed robbery in the area of Brandywine Apartments, located off of Meadow Street, north of UMass-Amherst. It is alleged that a gun was shown during the commission of the crime; that information is unconfirmed as of this time. The Massachusetts State Police and the UMass-Amherst Police Departments have offered support to this investigation. At this time there is no reason to believe that an imminent risk exists for our community, and police are actively patrolling our area. This information will be updated as the investigation continues.

Anyone with information related to this investigation should contact the Amherst Police Department at (413) 259-3000.

Personal safety tips can be found on the University Police website at http://www.umass.edu/umpd/safety-guidelines.

Crime Alert - Theft from a Person

Date Occurred: September 12, 2015

UMass Amherst Crime Alert: Theft from a Person

On Saturday, September 12, 2015 at approximately 7:50pm a female student reported to the University Police that she was in the area of Washington Hall when she was approached by three males, one asking if they could use her cell phone. After providing her phone, one male ran from the area with the phone still in his possession. The other two other males then also left the area, all three running up Fearing Street toward Sunset Avenue. An immediate area check by UMPD resulted in no further identification of the males.

The victim provided the police with the following description of the suspect who had stolen the phone: a light-skinned black male, not yet college age, 5'5" tall with an average body type, dark hair of average length and cut, clean shaven, wearing grayish Nike sneakers with an orange swoosh. A second female on Fearing Street observed the males and described them as approximately 16 years of age.

The investigation is continuing, anyone with information about this crime is encouraged to contact UMPD at (413) 545-2121: anonymous information can be left at (413) 577-TIPS or online at: http://www.umass.edu/umpd/anonymous-witness-form

Personal Safety Tips can be found on the University Police website at: http://www.umass.edu/umpd/safety-guidelines

CA: 3-15-21169

Crime Alert - Washington Hall Burglary

Date Occurred: 05/01/2015

The University of Massachusetts Police Department is investigating a burglary that occurred in Washington Hall in the early morning hours on 5/1/2015. The victim stated that his room was entered by an unknown subject and his wallet was stolen from within.Both the victim and his roommate were in the room, sleeping, at the time of the theft. The victim woke up to find the subject in his room but believed that it might be a friend coming by to retrieve something; he later discovered that his wallet had been stolen. The door to the room was unlocked at the time the crime occurred. The only description of the suspect, as provided by the victim, is: white male, approximately 5'10" - 6'tall, with brown hair. Anyone with information related to this crime is encouraged to contact Officer Fisher at (413) 545-2121;anonymous information can be left at (413) 577-TIPS(8477). UMPD encourages our community to take the following precautions to prevent similar crimes: •LOCK YOUR DOORS. Do not leave your dorm room door open or unlocked while you are away, even if only for a few minutes, and especially while you are asleep. •Do not leave valuables unattended where they are easily seen and quickly taken. This applies not only to dorm rooms but also to classrooms, the library, your car, etc. •Register the valuables that you bring on-campus with UMPD’s Project Protect. For more information please see http://www.umass.edu/umpd/project-protect

Advisory - UMPD supports UMassIT efforts in protecting your information

Date Occurred: March 18, 2015

UMPD supports UMassIT efforts in protecting your information. In a March 7th message to the campus UMassIT encouraged account holders to change their NetID password. If you have not done so since receiving that message, please change your password now. Thank you in advance.

For questions, contact the IT Help Center (it@umass.edu) or the IT professional in your department, as applicable.

CHANGE YOUR NETID PASSWORD

(Optional) If you are using Microsoft Exchange and have your email set up on your tablet or mobile devices, power off your devices. On the UMass Amherst homepage (top right corner), click SPIRE. Log in to SPIRE with your NetID and password. In SPIRE, click Main Menu > IT Accounts > My IT Accounts. On the Account List page, click the name of an IT Account (e.g., chelaru). On the Account Detail page, in the lower right corner, click Change Password. Follow the instructions to change your password. Be sure to click Change IT Password at the bottom of the page. This will change your password for UMail, Apps at UMass Amherst, Library, Human Resources, and other campus services. To connect to the eduroam wireless network, you may have to run the XpressConnect setup wizard again. Note: If your Exchange email and workstation login password has been reset, you will see a message that your AD/Exchange account password has also been changed. (Exchange Users) Confirm that you can log in to Exchange with the new password at exchange.umass.edu. Next, turn your mobile devices on one by one and change the password for the email account as prompted.

Crime Alert - Burglary from Kennedy Residence Hall

Date Occurred: 01/30/15

The University of Massachusetts Police Department has received a report from a resident student that a laptop computer was stolen from her residence in Kennedy Hall on Friday, January 30. The resident stated that she had left her room to visit friends between approximately 9:00pm and 10:00pm, and had left her room door open while she was gone. The stolen laptop is described as a silver MacBook Air. The investigation is continuing.

Anyone with information about this crime is encouraged to contact UMPD at (413) 545-2121; anonymous information can be left at (413) 577-TIPS.

UMPD urges students to take precautions to avoid similar thefts. These include:

Do not leave your dorm room door open or unlocked while you are away, even if only for a few minutes. Do not leave valuables unattended where they are easily seen and quickly taken. This applies not only to dorm rooms but also to classrooms, the library, your car, etc. Register the valuables that you bring on-campus with UMPD’s Project Protect. For more information please see http://www.umass.edu/umpd/project-protect

Advisory - Cyber-Related Scams Targeting Universities, Employees, And Students

Date Occurred: 05/01/2014

The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) is aware of multiple scams targeting universities, university employees, and students across the nation. The scams range from Internet fraud to intrusions. The following are common scenarios:

Spear phishing e-mails are being sent to university employees that appear to be from their employer. The e-mail contains a link and claims some type of issue has risen requiring them to enter their log-in credentials. Once employees provide their user name and password, the perpetrator accesses the university’s computer system to redirect the employees’ payroll allocation to another bank account. The university employees’ payroll allocations are being deposited into students’ accounts. These students were hired through online advertisements for work-at-home jobs, and provided their bank account information to the perpetrators to receive payment for the work they performed. Scammers are posting online advertisements soliciting college students for administrative positions in which they would receive checks via the mail or e-mail. Students are directed to deposit the checks into their accounts, and then print checks and/or wire money to an individual. Students are never asked to provide their bank account information to the perpetrators. Perpetrators are compromising students’ credential resulting in the rerouting of their reimbursement money to other bank accounts. The reimbursement money is from student loans and used to pay tuition, books, and living expenses. Perpetrators are obtaining professors’ Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and using it to file fraudulent income tax returns. Some universities have been victims of intrusions, resulting in the perpetrators being able to access university databases containing information on their employees and students.

If you have been a victim of one of these scams or any other Internet related scam, we encourage you to file a complaint with the IC3 at...

Advisory - Work-From-Home Scam Targeting University Students

Date Occurred: 01/13/2015

FBI Warning

College students across the United States have been targeted to participate in work-from-home scams. Students have been receiving e-mails to their school accounts recruiting them for payroll and/or human resource positions with fictitious companies. The "position" simply requires the student to provide his/her bank account number to receive a deposit and then transfer a portion of the funds to another bank account. Unbeknownst to the student, the other account is involved in the scam that the student has now helped perpetrate. The funds the student receives and is directed elsewhere have been stolen by cyber criminals. Participating in the scam is a crime and could lead to the student’s bank account being closed due to fraudulent activity or federal charges. Here’s how the scam works:

 The student is asked to provide his/her bank account credentials under the guise of setting up direct deposit for his/her pay.  The scammers will add the student’s bank account to a victim employee’s direct deposit information to redirect the victim’s payroll deposit to the student’s account.  The student will receive the payroll deposit from the victim’s employer in the victim’s name.  The student will be directed to withdraw funds from the account and send a portion of the deposit, via wire transfer, to other individuals involved in the scam. Consequences of Participating in the Scam: The student’s bank account will be identified by law enforcement as being involved in the fraud.  The victim employee has his/her pay stolen by the scammers utilizing the student’s bank account.  Without the student’s participation, the scam could not be perpetrated, so he/she facilitated the theft of the paycheck. The student could be arrested and prosecuted in federal court. A criminal record will stay with the student for the rest of his/her life and will have to be divulged on future job applications, which could prevent the student from beomg hired. The...

Crime Alert - Suspicious Activity

Date Occurred: November 11, 2014

The UMPD has received four reports from residents of the John Adams residence hall regarding a male who has been looking at female residents while they have been showering. The first incident occurred in September and was treated as an isolated incident. More recent reports have been filed and the UMPD is notifying the campus community to ensure your safety. Reports allege a white male has been seen looking, or attempting to look under the shower partitions on the third and sixth floor facilities. One incident describes the male as a college aged white male, dark hair, baseball cap on backwards, gray t-shirt, teal shorts and teal Sperry canvas boat shoes. Another incident describes the male as a white male with a blue checkered shirt and blue jeans lying on the ground. Two women report seeing a black iPhone under the partition which is believed by them to have taken pictures or video. The UMPD is actively investigating these incidents and is encouraging any resident to immediately report suspicious behavior to the police. Female residents are advised to remain aware of their surroundings and to contact the UMPD if they observe or are aware of similar situations. UMPD may be contacted at 545-2121 or online at http://www.umass.edu/umpd/anonymous-witness-form

Crime Alert - Stolen Motor Vehicle

Date Occurred: 10/17/14

On 10/17/14 the University of Massachusetts Police Department received a report of a stolen motor vehicle that had been parked in Lot 22 in the Southwest area of campus. The vehicle's owner stated that the vehicle had been locked and no keys had been left inside. The investigation is ongoing. There are no suspects at this time.

UMPD encourages all of our community members to take the following precautions to keep their vehicles and belongings safe:

Lock your doors and close your windows when you leave your vehicle. This simple precaution is often the most overlooked.

Do not leave "spare" car keys in or around your vehicle. As convenient as it may be to have a "spare key" kept with your vehicle in the event that you lose your main key, this is also convenient to those who are looking to steal your car.

Do not leave valuables in your vehicle. Even if you are only leaving your vehicle parked for a "little while", valuable items such as laptops, wallets, purses and cell phones serve to make your vehicle a more desirable target for thieves.

Anyone with information related to this motor vehicle theft is encouraged to contact the UMPD at 413-545-2121 or anonymously at 413-577-TIPS.

Crime Alert - Assault and Battery

Date Occurred: 09/21/2014

On Monday September 22, 2014 the following incident was reported to UMPD: During the early morning hours of Sunday, 09-21-2014, a college aged male approached a group of students by the Fine Arts Center and threatened to assault several members of the group. It was reported that this male then bit a member of the group on the neck.

This male is described as having a light brown complexion, approximately 5'10" with dark hair and a chin strap style beard. He was wearing a flat brimmed green Celtics hat, blue flannel button up shirt, white undershirt, and blue jeans.

Anyone with information that could be helpful is encouraged to contact UMPD at (413)-577-8477, or use our online Anonymous Witness Form.

Crime Alert Update - Annoying Harassing Behavior - Person Identified

Date Occurred: 9/4/14

Updated Crime Alert:

On Sept. 6, 2014 the University Police Department issued a Crime Alert seeking information on a person of interest who was allegedly engaged in harassing behavior toward women on a PVTA bus. This person has been positively identified and the investigation is continuing. Thank you for your assistance in this investigation.

Original Crime Alert:

The University of Massachusetts Police Department is seeking to identify an individual who allegedly engaged in harassing behavior towards women on a PVTA bus on Thursday night (9/4/2014). Anyone with information that could be helpful is encouraged to contact UMPD at (413) 577-8477, or use our online Anonymous Witness Form.

Crime Alert - Breaking and Entering - Suspect in Custody

Date Occurred: 8/27/14 and 8/28/14

Suspect in custody for Lincoln Ave. Breaking & Entering.Incident at Lincoln Apts remains under investigation. See email for further update. Continue to use caution, lock doors and windows. Contact UMPD with any information related to the Lincoln Apts. investigation. Inquiries related to the breaking and entering on Lincoln Ave. should be referred to Amherst Police.

Crime Alert Update - Indecent Exposure - Lewd Act - Suspect Arrested

Date Occurred: Wednesday August 20, 2014

Indecent Exposure/Lewd Act

On Wednesday August 27, 2014 at 2:40pm the UMass Amherst Police Department obtained an arrest warrant and was assisted by the Greenfield Police Department with placing Christopher M. Williams of 17 Avenue C, Apt. #2 Montague, Mass. under arrest for two counts of Open and Gross Lewdness. Mr. Williams was arrested without incident. On Wednesday August 20, 2014 on two separate occasions Mr. Williams is alleged to have driven his gold-colored, older model Honda Civic into UMass Amherst parking lots and exposed himself while masturbating in the presence of two female UMass students. An intensive, weeklong investigation by the officers led to suspect Williams, who was arraigned in Greenfield District Court on Thursday August 28, 2014. Chief Horvath praised the work of the investigators, “Officers had very limited information at the outset of this investigation and only after their exhaustive work were they able to zero in and identify this person. It was critical that we moved swiftly and remained diligent in this case to prevent a continuation of the activity or an escalation of his behavior.” Any questions related to this case can be directed to the UMass Amherst Police Department, Chief's Office at 413-545-2125.

Advisory - Telephone/Email Scams

Date Occurred: 8/29/16

A new School year has started and so have the Phishing scams. For more info in regards to these and other scams please refer to our webpage: https://www.umass.edu/umpd/phone-and-phishing-scams

The UMass Amherst Police Department recommends you take the following actions if you receive this type of email or phone call:

Do not wire money; Do not divulge any personal information; Do not meet with the caller under any circumstances; Ask probing questions and gather as much information as possible; Contact the UMass Amherst Police Department at (413) 545-2121 immediately

Crime Alert - DuBois Library Larceny

Date Occurred: 4/30/14

Occurred 4/30/14 from the Dubois Library. Two related thefts of victims unattended property. Suspect is described as a white male, approx. 6’3”, college aged, black hair with a buzz cut, dark clothing, sweat pants, and with a black backpack. Students are urged to use caution and secure all valuables and not leave them unattended.

Search Google Appliance

Search form