CrimeBriefs

  Would-be robber heeds student's plea

A student reported that she was accosted on Perry Street Wednesday evening by a young man who grabbed her pocketbook but then released it before walking away.

  The student said the man, who appeared to be about 17 years old, began following her after she left the International Delights restaurant on Ninth Street a few minutes before midnight. He reached her as she passed the nearby bicycle shop and then grabbed her pocketbook from behind. The student said the man released the pocketbook after she said, "Please don't do this."

  Durham police are handling the case and cooperating with Duke police, noted Duke Police Chief Clarence Birkhead. He urged students to be alert to their surroundings, to avoid walking alone at night and to call a cab, a friend or Safe Rides for transportation. People with information about the case should contact the Duke University Police Department at 684-2444.

  Wire stolen in front of employee's eyes

An employee reported at 10:22 a.m. April 7 that copper wire was stolen from the Facilities Warehouse at 117 S. Buchanan Blvd. The employee noticed a male pushing a reel of copper wire out of the warehouse at approximately 10:19 a.m. April 7.

The suspect claimed he was affiliated with Duke and said he needed the wire for a job. The employee contacted a supervisor who determined there was no reason for the male to be taking the wire. The employee returned to speak with the male, but he and the reel of wire had already disappeared.

The employee saw the male sitting in a white older-model Chevrolet Blazer as the car left the area. The suspect was described as a black male, 5'6" to 5'7" tall, light complexion wearing a blue baseball hat, blue plaid shirt, blue jeans and black boots. The 00 gauge copper wire on a wooden wheel is valued at $1,200.

  Chicken, tenderloin evade employee

An employee reported that one-and-a-half pieces of tenderloin, worth $66.48, and one-third of a piece of chicken, worth $7.91, were taken from Room 016 of the Mudd Building. The employee last knew the food was in the room at 9:30 a.m. April 5 and discovered it missing at 4:51 p.m. April 7.

  Employee finds car missing some paint

An employee reported at 4:06 p.m. April 7 that her vehicle was damaged while it was in the parking lot next to the Crowell Building. The victim parked her car at 8 a.m. April 7 and returned at 4 p.m. to find several scratches all over her vehicle. The scratches were similar to the type a key or like device would make. The damage was estimated at $300.

  Backpack gone, along with cash, inhaler

An employee reported at 11:04 p.m. April 7 that her $50 blue backpack, containing a $40 asthma inhaler and $75 in cash, was stolen. The victim last saw the backpack in the Duke University Medical Center Radiology waiting room at 6:30 p.m. April 7 and discovered it missing at 10:15 p.m. the same day.

  Valet-parked car scratched

A visitor to Duke Clinics reported damage to his valet-parked car at 3:09 p.m. April 7. The victim thinks someone may have keyed his car. The damage was estimated at $300.