Georgetown University

Public Safety Alert: Burglary in the 1200 Block of 33rd Street NW

At approximately 6:30 a.m. on Sunday, August 30, 2009, an unidentified male entered the residence of a student through an unlocked front door. The suspect lay down on the couch with the complainant. The complainant was startled awake and told the suspect to leave. The suspect subsequently left the residence, heading north on 33rd Street, then west on Prospect Street.

The complainant contacted MPD who responded to the scene. MPD notified DPS of the incident at approximately 8:00 a.m.

Students living off campus and in on-campus apartments and townhouses are reminded to keep their doors locked at all times, even when they are at home. This is particularly important for residences with entrances on the street. Crimes similar to the one described above are routinely accomplished by a suspect who has entered through an unlocked door or window.

Students living on campus in residence halls are reminded to lock their door when they leave their room, even if they are leaving for just a few minutes, and before they go to sleep.

The Department of Public Safety is requesting that anyone who has information regarding this or any other incident(s), or who noticed any suspects before or after the incident(s), to contact them immediately at (202) 687-4343.

Incident

Date: August 30, 2009

Time: 6:30 AM

Location: Non-campus, West Georgetown

Address: 1200 Block of 33rd Street, NW

Incident type: Burglary

Respondents: MPD

Incident summary: On Sunday, August 30, 2009 at approximately 6:30 a.m., an unidentified male entered a student's residence in the 1200 Block of 33rd Street, NW, and lay down on the couch with her. The complainant was startled awake, at which time she told the suspect to leave, which he subsequently did.

At approximately 6:30 a.m. on Sunday, August 30, 2009, an unidentified male entered the residence of a student through an unlocked front door. The suspect lay down on the couch with the complainant. The complainant was startled awake and told the suspect to leave. The suspect subsequently left the residence, heading north on 33rd Street, then west on Prospect Street.

The complainant contacted MPD who responded to the scene. MPD notified DPS of the incident at approximately 8:00 a.m.

Students living off campus and in on-campus apartments and townhouses are reminded to keep their doors locked at all times, even when they are at home. This is particularly important for residences with entrances on the street. Crimes similar to the one described above are routinely accomplished by a suspect who has entered through an unlocked door or window.

Students living on campus in residence halls are reminded to lock their door when they leave their room, even if they are leaving for just a few minutes, and before they go to sleep.

Victim(s):No physical injuries were reported in this incident.

Victim(s) status:

Witness description of suspect(s):The suspect is described as a white male, 5'8" - 6' tall, medium build, 25-30 years old, with short brown hair, wearing a dark olive shirt and dark shorts.

Safety Reminder

The Department of Public Safety would like to remind all students to practice the following security measures:

  1. On campus students should call DPS at 202-687-4343 regarding any safety concerns.

  2. Off campus students with immediate safety concerns should call MPD at 911 and DPS at 687-HELP.

  3. Practice security at home by not propping doors open, always keeping doors and windows locked, even when you are in residence, and not opening the door to strangers.

  4. Students noticing suspicious activities or individuals loitering around entrances to residence halls, apartments, or townhouses should immediately notify DPS at 202-687-4343.

  5. Students may utilize the services of THE SHUTTLE or DPS SAFERIDES escorts as a means of providing safe passage off-campus. Call 784-RIDE for DPS SAFERIDES escorts.

Georgetown University's Department of Public Safety (DPS) notifies the campus community when crimes are reported to DPS or the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) which the University believes represent a threat to its students or employees, in a manner consistent with the Campus Security Act. The University uses its best efforts to provide information that is both accurate and helpful, but community members should recognize that the University is able to relay information only as it is reported to DPS and/or MPD.