Prescott Street Prowler Sought

Harvard police yesterday released a description and composite drawing of the suspect they believe responsible for a rash of recent burglaries and one attempted burglary at a Harvard-owned apartment building located just east of Harvard Yard.

Valuable electronic equipment and other personal property were taken from three apartments at 95 Prescott St. since August 22, when the first break-in occurred.

Apartments were also hit on September 4 and this Monday, September 20. The single thwarted attempt occurred on September 17.

All four incidents are the work of the same person, who remains at large, according to Lt. John F. Rooney.

During the September 4 burglary, one building resident spotted the perpetrator, police said. Based on that information, Harvard detectives formulated a description and a composite drawing of the suspect.

Police are looking for a Black male, between 18 and 22 years old, with a thin build and black hair styled in a crew cut. At the time he was spotted, the suspect was wearing a red t-shirt, sweat pants and black high-topsneakers, Rooney said.

In the three burglaries that resulted inproperty being stolen, the perpetrator had cut ahole in a first-floor window screen to gain accessto the building, which is managed by Harvard RealEstate, police said.

After the first two break-ins, Harvard RealEstate sent a letter to residents reminding themof security precautions.

Although the letter does not refer to anybreak-ins, it says "in the interest of safety andsecurity,

Security Guidelines Reviewed

Harvard Real Estate periodically remindsresidents of the proper security procedures" forthe building.

The letter, a copy of which was obtained by TheCrimson, is signed by Sara Pettit, acting openhousing manager for Harvard Real Estate. Pettitdid not return repeated phone calls yesterday.

Brenda Cullinane, the Harvard Real Estatebuilding manager responsible for the 95 PrescottSt. apartment complex, said she was aware of thebreak-ins but did not comment further.

Iona Jones, the owner of the apartment in whichthe thwarted break-in occurred, said she believesin her case the perpetrator used a basement doorto gain entrance to the building

The door, used as a service entrance, may havebeen left open during that Friday morning, policesaid.

Jones said she heard a knock at her door around1 p.m. This was unusual, she said, since visitorsusually ring an outside doorbell and are buzzed inby building residents.

Resident Hears Prowler

When Jones heard someone fumbling with herfront-door lock, she investigated, only to find anempty hallway and the plates around the lockpartially unscrewed, Jones said.

"I think the sound of my heavy clogs againstthe hard-wood floor must have scared him away,"Jones said.

Rooney said police took a set of fingerprintsfrom the building, but have been unable to matchthem to an identity.

Police say they have little information otherthan the description of the suspect. Rooney saidHarvard police have increased patrols of thePrescott Street area, especially during themid-afternoon hours, which the suspect appears tofavor.

Harvard police are encouraging Prescott Streetresidents and passersby to alert them to anysuspicious activity.

The case is being handled by Harvard's CriminalInvestigation Division, 495-1796

In the three burglaries that resulted inproperty being stolen, the perpetrator had cut ahole in a first-floor window screen to gain accessto the building, which is managed by Harvard RealEstate, police said.

After the first two break-ins, Harvard RealEstate sent a letter to residents reminding themof security precautions.

Although the letter does not refer to anybreak-ins, it says "in the interest of safety andsecurity,

Security Guidelines Reviewed

Harvard Real Estate periodically remindsresidents of the proper security procedures" forthe building.

The letter, a copy of which was obtained by TheCrimson, is signed by Sara Pettit, acting openhousing manager for Harvard Real Estate. Pettitdid not return repeated phone calls yesterday.

Brenda Cullinane, the Harvard Real Estatebuilding manager responsible for the 95 PrescottSt. apartment complex, said she was aware of thebreak-ins but did not comment further.

Iona Jones, the owner of the apartment in whichthe thwarted break-in occurred, said she believesin her case the perpetrator used a basement doorto gain entrance to the building

The door, used as a service entrance, may havebeen left open during that Friday morning, policesaid.

Jones said she heard a knock at her door around1 p.m. This was unusual, she said, since visitorsusually ring an outside doorbell and are buzzed inby building residents.

Resident Hears Prowler

When Jones heard someone fumbling with herfront-door lock, she investigated, only to find anempty hallway and the plates around the lockpartially unscrewed, Jones said.

"I think the sound of my heavy clogs againstthe hard-wood floor must have scared him away,"Jones said.

Rooney said police took a set of fingerprintsfrom the building, but have been unable to matchthem to an identity.

Police say they have little information otherthan the description of the suspect. Rooney saidHarvard police have increased patrols of thePrescott Street area, especially during themid-afternoon hours, which the suspect appears tofavor.

Harvard police are encouraging Prescott Streetresidents and passersby to alert them to anysuspicious activity.

The case is being handled by Harvard's CriminalInvestigation Division, 495-1796