Car Break-ins

Following a series of car break-ins in Senators and Martinetti parking lots, campus public safety officials and local police are investigating two men with possible connections to the Nov. 4 and Nov. 5 incidents in which four vehicles were broken into including a JSC maintenance vehicle.

“On two separate occasions the two men have been recognized,” said JSC Director of Public Safety Michael Palagonia. “Based on the times that they have been seen in the parking lots we think they are JSC students, but we aren’t positive. They could very well not be students.”

The car break-ins have been a recurring issue throughout the semester. Last month students experienced stolen ipods and other valuables; however the most recent occurrences of break-ins fortunately haven’t been anything huge. “I’m more concerned about damage than what was stolen since nothing was of great value,” Palagonia said. “However, the most concerning was the maintenance vehicle that was broken into because quite a bit was stolen.”

The items stolen from the JSC maintenance vehicle were all tools including hammers, drills, and other supplies.

According to Palagonia, a student has come forward and named one of the hooded men.

“The student that was named is now under investigation,” he said.

The Lamoille County Sheriff’s Department is now involved in the break-in investigation. “Every item that was stolen has been reported to the police, who are doing what they can,” Palagonia said. “There isn’t enough evidence yet, but the police have all the reports. When there is enough evidence to prove who the two men are, and if they are JSC students, they are facing anything from campus removal to expulsion, plus consequences through the police. Damages done are in the thousands of dollars. There will be charges through the state.”

In one incident, a student whose car was broken into actually found CD cases from someone else’s car that had been left behind by the two men. “We’re waiting for someone to come forward about the CDs, but no one has yet.” Palagonia said. From the CDs that were found the police were able to lift finger print samples. “If we get strong, solid suspects, then we’ll have the finger prints on file. If we can match the fingerprints up, then it’ll prove they are responsible for the break-ins.”

According to Palagonia, this year has seen more break-ins than in past years. “It hasn’t been this bad in the past,” Palagonia said. “Last year there would be one or two in an occurrence, but now it’s three to five, which is unusual.”
Public safety is going through the student parking lots more frequently now. “We have a very strong light that we shine through,” Palagonia said. “We know that they won’t do anything when we’re there, but we’re hoping to try to deter them. If we see anyone hanging in the parking lot we’re going to talk to them. Anyone standing around is a potential suspect.”

Palagonia is also looking into installing night vision cameras in all the parking lots. “I’m investigating to find out how much it would cost to put in infrared projectors,” he said. “I’m really interested to hear from students who are interested in having the cameras put up, because it’s going to take students to make that actually happen.”

Public Safety encourages students to lock their cars and check them daily for missing items. “The number one cause for most of the break-ins was that the doors weren’t locked.” Palagonia said. “We’re going to catch them eventually. They are starting to get sloppy and it’s just a matter of time. It’s going to be bad when they are caught, and it’s not worth it for the things they have taken.”