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December 14, 2004
Squatter suspected in thefts
An ABM employee discovered a collection of stolen personal items stored above a ceiling tile in a Drew Science restroom a week ago Monday, said Assistant Director of Safety and Security Tom Bergs.
The items found included wallets, credit cards, purses, and clothing. Some items had been reported to Safety and Security as missing over a year ago, Bergs said.
The ABM employee noticed the items when he was moving a stray tile in the bathroom back into place.
He notified Safety and Security, and the remaining restrooms and main floor student lounge were searched. No suspect was found, but Bergs said that he believes the person responsible is Robert Lyle, a man trespassed from campus since last August.
Bergs said among the items found were letters with Lyle’s name on them. Lyle can’t be charged, because the items were not in his possession when they were found, and Bergs said that since Lyle is homeless, it would be hard to track him down.
Lyle was barred from campus after he attempted to sleep in Bush Library last August. In the month before he was barred, he had been using the Drew Science bathroom to store stolen items, Berg said.
Lyle has not been seen on campus since August, Berg said, and added that he believes Lyle is harmless.
Bergs said that Safety and Security will install cameras in Drew Science next year to help better monitor the building.
Safety and Security have notified the owners of the stolen items.
Posted by msveum at December 14, 2004 10:25 AM