Two University fraternities reported burglaries to Minneapolis police this month.
The Chi Psi fraternity, also known as “the lodge,” located on the 1500 block of University Avenue Southeast, reported a burglary at approximately 2:15 a.m. Feb. 10. Delta Tau Delta, located on the 1700 block of University Avenue Southeast, reported a burglary Feb. 11.
“It’s conceivable that they’re related, but there is nothing in particular to indicate that they would be,” said Minneapolis police Lt. Steve Kincaid.
According to the police report: The unknown suspect or suspects gained entry into “the lodge” through an unlocked ground level window.
The burglar or burglars took items from an unlocked bedroom on the third floor – including a $300 camera, a $230 leather jacket and a cell phone.
“It happens probably about once a year,” said fraternity president Skyler Weinand. “Ninety-nine times out of 100 it’s someone who is pretty drunk.”
Earlier in the day, fraternity members asked two men who appeared to be between the ages of 25 and 30 to leave the house because nobody knew them, according to the police report.
None of the 30 fraternity residents were home when the burglary occurred, Weinand said.
“It’s hard to keep things locked,” he said. “We have visitors all the time.”
Two men visiting “the lodge” from Washington, D.C., and a freshman fraternity member who lives in a residence hall reported the thefts in the early morning.
The return plane tickets for the visitors from Washington were also stolen, according to the police report.
Weinand said the fraternity is looking into other ways to safeguard itself from future thefts.
According to the police report:
Delta Tau Delta reported the Feb. 2 theft of computer equipment to Minneapolis police Feb. 11. There was no sign of forced entry.
Fraternity members did not report the equipment missing immediately because they thought it was a prank.
None of the 28 fraternity members noticed anything unusual the day of the incident, said Delta Tau Delta President Philip Torgerson.
The fraternity has not been burglarized in the past, he said.
In other police news:
Minneapolis police arrested a 20-year-old woman for prostitution Feb. 11 at the Radisson Hotel Metrodome, located on the 600 block of Washington Avenue Southeast, according to the police report.
During an undercover operation, a Minneapolis police officer called the woman and asked her to meet him at the hotel.
The woman met the officer at the hotel. She was arrested after offering sex for money, according to the police report.
An 18-year-old woman was allegedly assaulted Feb. 12 in Centennial Hall, according to a police report.
“The victim had an acquaintance who she went to visit after class, and the acquaintance grabbed her by the hair,” said University police Capt. Steve Johnson. “He was leaning over to kiss her, and she yelled ‘back off’ and pushed away.”
The victim chose not to press charges at this time, but the incident has been referred to University Housing and Residential Life, Johnson said.
