By Maisie Covert

Staff Writer

A suspect has been detained in connection with repetitive acts of larceny of student property from vehicles in campus parking lots, according to Campus Safety.

A male suspect was spotted in the Kalzbeek-Huizenga lot early Saturday morning October 20th. A Campus Safety officer who was patrolling the area discovered the suspect around 6:30 a.m.

The officer stated that they ``heard a clang which was later determined to be the sound of a crowbar being dropped.'' The suspect had apparently used the crowbar to break into three other vehicles that morning.He was found hiding between cars in the lot, and when confronted by the Campus Safety officer, he denied any sort of involvement in the thefts. However, upon further investigation, the suspect's vehicle was located and stereo equipment was found inside. The stereo equipment was identified as stolen from Calvin students whose vehicles had previously been broken into, and the stereos were returned to them.

Gerry Steele, director of Campus Safety, has reason to believe that the suspect has targeted Calvin's campus before, along with surrounding area malls and shopping centers. Steele said that many of the thefts that took place at the Eastbrook and River Town Crossing mall parking lots occurred on the same day as incidents at Calvin. Steele said the suspect his officers discovered on Saturday gave reason to believe that he was not alone that morning because of the number of incidents of theft within a small radius..

The Grand Rapids Police Department will more than likely pursue and identify any alleged accomplices. Steele stated: ``The GRPD will consider the lead given by the suspect indicating that others were involved.'' Steele hopes that the discovery of this suspect and possible others will lessen the amount of theft incidents that occur in the campus parking lots.

Upon discovery of the alleged suspect, the case was handed over to the Grand Rapids Police Department. At press time, the Grand Rapids Police Department was unavailable for comment.

The suspect is now awaiting a court date. In court, the Campus Safety officer who discovered the suspect will be expected to testify against him.

The punishment for such a crime can be extremely serious. Steele explained that automobile larceny is considered a four-year felony and the punishment depends on the suspect's plea and their criminal record. If his past record is clean, Steele said that the punishment would most likely consist of a ``fine, restitution and/or probation.''

In regard to students whose vehicles were broken into earlier this year, Steele also stated that there is a possibility of recovering past stolen goods, depending on the cooperation and plea of the suspect. Steele believes that ``there is hope that these things may be returned.''

The discovery of a possible suspect in the reoccurring thefts will no doubt be a relief to students, faculty, staff, and Campus Safety alike. In the mean time, Campus Safety said they are continuing to patrol campus parking lots with heightened attention both day and night in an effort to reduce on-campus crimes.