DUPD investigating Gilbert-Addoms theft, electronics stolen from dorm rooms

Two dorm rooms in Gilbert-Addoms residence hall were the sites of theft Monday night. 

Four suspects entered the building at around 10:40 p.m. that night, according to a news release, following a student who had already “opened the secured residence hall door.” They entered two dorm rooms and allegedly stole electronics and “other personal items,” according to a Duke Student Affairs email sent Tuesday afternoon to East Campus residents obtained by The Chronicle.

“This is still an open investigation, and we are following up with every lead and working aggressively with outside law enforcement agencies,” DUPD Assistant Chief James Bjurstrom wrote in an email to The Chronicle.

The individuals were caught on video as they left the hall, according to the release.

The email from Student Affairs urges people with information about the incident to contact Duke Police at 919-684-2444 or through an online report.

“As always, your safety remains our highest priority,” the email states.

First-year Jared Andrade, who lives on the third floor of Gilbert-Addoms, said that his room was entered after he left the door unlocked. His laptop, AirPods, Beats headphones and Apple Watch were all taken, he said, but nothing belonging to his roommate was.

“It just sucks, you know?” Andrade said. “I guess I thought I was in more of a bubble here at Duke, but no, we’re really not.”

Although Duke Police is investigating the situation, he is not hopeful about being reunited with his possessions.

“I don’t think I’ll ever see my stuff again, but I hope the guys end up getting caught,” Andrade said.

First-year Jake Piazza, also a Gilbert-Addoms resident and sports staff reporter for The Chronicle, called the theft “unsettling” because East Campus is isolated from the rest of Duke’s main campus. 

“By the time you can react, the deed has been done,” Piazza said.

He would like to see security improvements, such as more security guards outside of dorms on the edge of campus. 

Piazza said that Duke should also teach students about security, such as being told that “it’s okay to be that person that doesn’t let someone in.”

The news release about the theft provides several safety tips, including locking one’s residence and not propping open doors. Andrade said he will be locking his door in the future.

“Property theft is the most common crime on campus. We tend to see such incidents increase as we approach the holidays,” Bjurstrom wrote. “We encourage all students to lock their dorm rooms and vehicles when away, even for short periods of time.”


Matthew Griffin

Matthew Griffin was editor-in-chief of The Chronicle's 116th volume.

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