Fast-driving SUV helps gate-arm damager escape
A student reported at 2:26 a.m. Jan. 17 that while walking on Union Drive he noticed a person trying to break a gate arm with his hands. The student made a comment to the person breaking the gate arm, who made a number of obscene gestures in return. When the suspect got back into his car, a 2002 Suzuki sports utility vehicle, he drove off in such a manner to make the victim think he was trying to hit him. The vehicle left the area at a high rate of speed. Officers searched the area and did not locate the vehicle. No injuries were reported. Damage to the gate arm is valued at $75.
Ripped-off storage trailer missing tools
A construction employee reported Jan. 17 a break-in to a construction storage trailer at the Duke Eye Center. The employee reported that the trailer was secured by a lock at 6 p.m. Jan. 16. When employees came in for work at 7 a.m. Jan. 17 they found the lock cut off the trailer door and several tools missing. Two $500 DeWalt hammer drills, four $300 DeWalt cordless drills and various drill bit sets valued at $180 were stolen in the break-in.
Embezzlement leads to employee's arrest
An employee came to a Duke Police office Jan. 14 and admitted to taking money from the Oasis Coffee Shop in the Bryan Center. The employee said he had been taking small amounts of money from the coffee shop over the past five months. Subsequent investigation determined that the employee may have taken $700 to $800 dollars over the past five months. Duke Police arrested Christopher Lee Paine--DOB Nov. 25, 1983--of 4001 Peachway Ct., and charged him with embezzlement. Paine was held at the Durham County Jail under a $2,500 secured bond. His court date is set for Jan. 15. Paine could not be reached for comment.
Edens marijuana bust does not end with charges filed
Officers responded to a report of controlled substances being used in Edens - at 7:25 p.m. Jan. 16. When officers arrived, residence life staff directed them to a dorm room with three students inside. Officers questioned the students about the possible use of marijuana in the room and the students admitted to smoking marijuana. The students turned over a bag containing what appeared to be marijuana and two pipes to the officers. No charges were filed at the time of the incident.
Central resident arrested for growing marijuana
A Central Campus employee reported at 2 p.m. Jan. 15 that he found what appeared to be marijuana growing in an apartment at 1915 Yearby Street, apartment E. The employee reported that he entered the apartment on a routine maintenance check and found seven small plants growing in a closet. Subsequent investigation and a search of the apartment by Duke Police determined that the plants were marijuana.
The resident of the apartment, apartment resident Hwan-Joon Choi, DOB Oct. 23, 1981, was arrested Jan. 16 and charged with Possession and Manufacturing a Controlled Substance. Choi was released from the Durham County Jail under a $2,000 secured bond. His first appearance in court is set for Jan. 20. Choi declined to comment.
Insufficient years mean alcohol citation
An officer cited Gregory Darland of 327 Blackwell Dormitory (DOB June 25, 1985) for possession of an alcoholic beverage by a person under 21 years old Jan. 18. The officer was closing a party when he observed Darland attempting to conceal a can of beer. Darland declined to comment.
Yanked wallet retrieved without cash, keys
A student reported Jan. 14 that her wallet was stolen from a classroom in the North building. The student reported that she left her wallet in the classroom at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 13. When she went back to the classroom to retrieve her wallet at 8 a.m. Jan. 14 it was gone. The wallet was later found near the Levine Science Research Center and turned in to police. All the contents were intact except for two keys and $50 in cash.
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