Burglars Hit Adams; Fifth Time in Past Two Weeks

An attempted burglary in an Adams House suite this past Tuesday was just the latest in a series of burglaries in the House.

Andrew J. Green '99, who lives in Adams G-44, said he heard some rustling in his suite's foyer when he work up around 8:15 a.m.

"I opened the door and saw a guy in the room, so I said very forcefully, 'What are you doing here? Show some ID,'" Green said.

The intruder told Green he was looking for the common room and flashed a Harvard ID. Green grabbed for it, but he said the intruder fled before he could see it.

The only object reported missing is a $100 pair of Ray Ban sunglasses.

Harvard University Police Department spokesperson Peggy A. McNamara said the perpetrator was a white male, in his late twenties, six feet tall and with light brown hair, uneven eyes and a long face. He was wearing a sky blue Yankees cap and a dark blue or green jacket, she said.

McNamara said the incident has been forwarded to the criminal investigation unit but could not comment further on the ongoing investigation.

This was at least the sixth burglary in Adams House this year and the fifth incident in the past two weeks, according to University officials.

This includes a burglary that resulted in the theft of a laptop, a camera, a pocketbook and a wallet on Sept. 27.

McNamara said the perpetrator entered Green's room through an unlocked front door.

Adams House Senior Tutor David B. Fithian said, "In every case [theburglaries] have been in rooms of students who hadnot locked their doors."

Green said before he went to bed, he thought tohimself, "I hope we remembered to lock the door."

"I figured, we're on the fourth floor--nothingcould happen to us," he said.

Fithian has encouraged students to file policereports to form a profile of the perpetrator, whomhe believes is responsible for all of the AdamsHouse burglaries.

Fithian said he has also asked HouseSuperintendent William Long to come in early everymorning to check for trespassers and requestedthat students report all suspicious persons.

McNamara said HUPD will analyze the informationfrom the past weeks' burglaries and work withpatrol units in the area.

Adams House tutors sent e-mail messages toresidents yesterday informing them of thesituation and warning them to lock their doors andto refuse entry to unknown individuals without aHarvard ID. Fithian said in most cases, theburglar seems to have used a fake ID.

Eric M. Nelson '99, Green's roommate, said hewas just happy the crime was not more serious. "Wewere very lucky that nothing of value was taken,"said Nelson, who is a Crimson editor

Green said before he went to bed, he thought tohimself, "I hope we remembered to lock the door."

"I figured, we're on the fourth floor--nothingcould happen to us," he said.

Fithian has encouraged students to file policereports to form a profile of the perpetrator, whomhe believes is responsible for all of the AdamsHouse burglaries.

Fithian said he has also asked HouseSuperintendent William Long to come in early everymorning to check for trespassers and requestedthat students report all suspicious persons.

McNamara said HUPD will analyze the informationfrom the past weeks' burglaries and work withpatrol units in the area.

Adams House tutors sent e-mail messages toresidents yesterday informing them of thesituation and warning them to lock their doors andto refuse entry to unknown individuals without aHarvard ID. Fithian said in most cases, theburglar seems to have used a fake ID.

Eric M. Nelson '99, Green's roommate, said hewas just happy the crime was not more serious. "Wewere very lucky that nothing of value was taken,"said Nelson, who is a Crimson editor