The Shorthorn - Police expect more arrests connected to cell phone robberies, but say threat is diminished

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Police expect more arrests connected to cell phone robberies, but say threat is diminished

Written by Chase Webster, The Shorthorn staff

Wednesday, 20 January 2010 08:12 PM

Last semester’s string of cell phone robberies and assaults should no longer pose a threat, according to UTA Police. Over winter break, police apprehended four men believed to be involved in a series of cell phone robberies.

Police arrested 19-year-old Javon Romell Weston and 17-year-olds Arthur L. Foley and Atulu Nagee Freeman. Police said the men were associated with a spree of cell phone thefts that lasted from Nov. 5 to Nov. 25 of last year. On Dec. 21, police arrested a 16-year-old suspected of stealing a student’s backpack, laptop and wallet before punching him in the face.

All four are believed to be involved in various thefts and robberies, university spokeswoman Kristin Sullivan said. With the four suspects’ apprehension, there shouldn’t be a threat of similar burglaries this semester, she said.

“Police were able to connect them with some, but not all of the incidences,” she said. “They believe the four individuals were involved in more than they have confessed to.”

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In order to locate possible suspects, police adjusted shift assignments to times when thefts were more likely to take place, UTA Police Detective Andrew Davis said. The number of night shift officers increased during the investigation period.

While no one else is suspected in the assaults and robberies, police expect further arrests, Davis said. UTA Police are now investigating several other individuals who may have been involved in other ways.

“The people who were directly involved in the thefts have been arrested,” he said. “Now we are looking for drivers and the people who purchased the stolen cell phones. There are people who took part that were not involved in the assaults.”

Davis said several others knew about the robberies beforehand and then fled with the other suspects. Not all of the four suspects were directly involved with every theft. Sorting the facts is going to take some time, he said, and tracking down the remaining suspects may take several months. In the meantime, UTA Police has resumed its regular shift assignments.

“It’s a different atmosphere in the heat of an investigation,” Sullivan said. “The community learned what was going on and changed their behavior.”

Despite the arrests, police continue to suggest that students remain cautious when walking alone.

“When I first came here, I noticed students staring at their phones, unaware of their surroundings,” Davis said. “I saw students walk out in front of cars while texting. Always be aware of your surroundings, especially at night.”
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