FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TO: News Media Representatives
FROM: Lieutenant Allan Baron
DATE: June 2, 2015 – 1700 hours
SUBJECT: Crime Alert – Arrest Warrant Phone Scam

The University Police Department (UPD) has received multiple reports from individuals who have received bogus phone calls from individuals claiming to be with a law enforcement agency. All the individuals reported receiving these calls from 979-845-2345, the University Police Department’s non-emergency phone number. This is a tactic used by con artists to make it appear the victim is receiving the call from a law enforcement agency.

The victims are told they have outstanding arrest warrants and payment must be made promptly through a pre-loaded debit card or wire transfer. If the victim refuses to cooperate, the impersonators threaten arrest, deportation, dismissal of degrees, or dismissal from the university. In many cases, the callers are reported to become aggressive, hostile and insulting.

These con artists can sound convincing. They use fake names and bogus identification badge numbers. They may also know a lot about the individuals they are targeting. These individuals usually alter the caller ID to make it look as though a government or a law enforcement agency is calling.
A government or law enforcement agencies will never:

• Call to demand immediate payment, nor will the agency call about debts owed without first having mailed you a notice.
• Demand that you pay debts without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe.
• Require you to use a specific payment method for your debts, such as with a prepaid debit card.
• Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.

If you are contacted by someone requesting payment for any debt with which you are not familiar, be exceedingly cautious because it is most likely a scam.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of a similar scam, please report it immediately to UPD at (979) 845-2345.

The College Station Police Department recently received reports from two Texas A&M University students who reported being assaulted with a BB or pellet gun in the Northgate Area.

The first incident occurred at approximately 9 p.m. April 2, 2015 at the intersection of Cherry Street and Stasney Street. The victim reported being struck in the leg and face while walking home. The victim described the suspects as two black males, approximately 13-14 years of age. One of the suspects was approximately 4’10”, with a slim build. The other suspect was approximately 4’6″, medium build and wearing shorts.

The second assault occurred on April 6, 2015, at approximately 8:20 p.m. The victim reported being struck in the arm and hand while walking near the intersection of Cherry Street and Stasney Street. The victim described one of the suspects as a black male, approximately 13 years of age, 5’2″, bald, wearing an orange shirt and dark colored shorts. The second suspect was described as a black male, approximately 17 years of age, with a skinny build. Both suspect were riding bicycles.

These incidents are currently being investigated by the College Station Police Department. Anyone with information regarding these cases or the identification of the individuals responsible, are asked to contact the College Station Police Department at (979) 764-3600.

As a reminder, Texas A&M students should always be aware of their surroundings and report any suspicious activity to police.

Lieutenant H. Allan Baron
Community Services Division Texas A&M University Police Department
1231 TAMU
College Station, Texas 77843-1231
979.862.8125 (Office)
979.845.6500 (Fax)
abaron@tamu.edu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TO: News Media Representatives
FROM: Lieutenant Allan Baron
DATE: April 8, 2015 – 11:00 a.m.
SUBJECT: Animal Bite – Case Number 15-0407-0021

On April 7, 2015 at 6:20 p.m., the University Police Department (UPD) received a report of an animal bite that occurred in the Texas A&M University Research Park.
The victim, a 22 year old Texas A&M student, was approached by three dogs while jogging in the Texas A&M University Research Park. One of the dogs bit the victim on the back of her left leg just below the knee. The owners restrained the dogs and made contact with the victim. The victim did not obtain any contact information from the dog’s owners before contacting the UPD. When UPD arrived on scene, the owners had left the area.

The victim described the dog that bit her as black in color and possibly a Labrador Retriever mix. The victim was unable to provide detailed descriptions on the other dogs, other than one was white in color.

The victim described the owners of the dogs as an Hispanic family, male and female with two or three children. The male was described to be in his late 30`s, approximately 5`6″ with short dark hair, average build, with gold in his front teeth. The female was described to be in her mid to late 30`s, approximately 5`4″, 160 pounds, with dark hair just past her shoulders. The victim was only able to describe two of the three children as, one male and one female approximately 8-12 years of age.

The University Police is asking for the public’s help in locating this dog. The dog needs to be placed into quarantine to rule out any rabies exposure to the victim.

Anyone with information regarding this incident should contact the University Police Department at 979-845-2345.

The safety of our community does not have borders. It is the goal of every law enforcement agency to protect the citizens that we serve. Be the eyes and ears of your police department. When you see suspicious activity contact the Texas A&M University Police Department at 979-845-2345; the College Station Police Department at 979-764-3600; or the Bryan Police Department or the Brazos County Sheriff’s Department at 979-361-3888. Together we can make a difference in our community.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TO: News Media Representatives
FROM: Lieutenant Allan Baron
DATE: April 2, 2015 – 1430 Hours
SUBJECT: Student Arrested for Improper Photography or Visual Recording

On February 20, 2015, a male student reported to authorities that he was photographed with a cell phone while inside a men’s public restroom stall on the first floor of Hullabaloo Hall. Through further investigation, University Police Investigators obtained video surveillance footage from the building, and as a result, investigators identified 21-year-old Joe Manual Colunga as a person of interest in the case.

Working in conjunction with the Brazos County District Attorney’s Office, Investigators obtained an arrest warrant charging Colunga, a Texas A&M student, with Improper Photography or Visual Recording, a state jail felony, punishable by a prison term of up to two years and/or a $10,000 fine.

On April 1, 2015, Colunga turned himself in to authorities at the Brazos County Jail. His bond was set at $10,000, which was posted.

This case remains under investigation. Anyone with information regarding this case or any similar incidents is urged to contact University Police at (979) 845-2345.

Joe Manual Colunga

The safety of our community does not have borders. It is the goal of every law enforcement agency to protect the citizens that we serve. Be the eyes and ears of your police department. When you see suspicious activity contact the Texas A&M University Police Department at 979-845-2345, the College Station Police Department at 979-764-3600, or the Bryan Police Department and the Brazos County Sheriff’s Office at 979-361-3888. Together we can make a difference in our community.

Texas A&M University Police Department
1231 TAMU
College Station, Texas 77843-1231

Chief Ragan and Master Police Officer/FTO Joe Rios.  Officer Rios was selected as Officer of the Year

Police Officer of the Year
• Master Police Officer Joe Rios

Security Officer of the Year
• Advanced Armed Security Officer Kevin Smith

Support Staff Employee of the Year
• Program Coordinator Tim Adams

Life Saving Awards
• Master Police Officer Cody Clemens
• Master Police Officer Justin Vykukal

Police Commendation Awards
• Police Sergeant Lee Elkins
• Master Police Officer Scott Jackson
• Advanced Security Officer Carolyn McGruder-Lyons
• Senior IT Professional II Dave Osborne
• Master Police Officer Eric Walker

Education Achievement Award
• Senior Police Officer Justin Wester

Federal Bureau of Investigation Certificate of Recognition
• Police Sergeant Mark Hartman

Texas A&M University President’s Meritorious Service Team Award

University Police Crisis Intervention Team

• Senior Police Officer Jonathan Blythe
• Senior Police Officer Josh Deleon
• Police Sergeant Lee Elkins
• Master Police Officer Jennifer Enloe
• Senior Police Officer Ethan Patton
• Master Police Officer Adrian Shepherd
• Master Police Officer Justin Vykukal

Years of Service Awards

25 Years of Services
• Police Lieutenant John Fisher
• Senior Office Associate Maryann Wiederhold
• Master Police Officer Travis Lively
• Police Records Supervisor Christi Maurer

20 Years of Service
• Master Police Officer Desire Donovan-Murph
• Police Sergeant Wayne Goldwater
• Master Police Officer Kirk Jones
• Master Police Officer John Kay
• Master Police Officer Sharon McLean
• Police Sergeant Roger Paxton
• Master Police Officer Kevin Williams

15 Years of Service
• Advanced Armed Security Officer Annette Bryant
• Security Lieutenant Robert Hunter
• Advanced Security Officer Carolyn McGruder-Lyons

10 Years of Service
• Police Records Technician III Ashley Contreras

5 Years of Service
• Advanced Armed Security Officer Crystal Ranslem
• Communications Officer IV Alexi Sistek
• Master Police Officer Adrian Shepherd
• Senior Police Officer Justin Wester

The program is sponsored by Bryan Broadcasting and has been in existence for 23 years. This year, over 500 children from around the Brazos Valley were sponsored through the program.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TO: News Media Representatives
FROM: Lieutenant Allan Baron
DATE: December 10, 2014 – 0100 hrs.
SUBJECT: Holiday Crime Prevention Tips

During the Holiday break between semesters, many students will be leaving their residence hall, apartment or home for an extended period of time. Here are some helpful tips to remember before leaving for the holidays.

• Make sure all doors and windows are properly secured.
• When leaving home for an extended time, have a neighbor or family member watch your house and pick up your newspapers and mail.
• Consider taking all items of “high value” back to you primary residence; money, jewelry, TV, DVD, stereo, computer.
• If you choose to leave items of “high value,” make sure that you have recorded the serial numbers. It is recommended that you mark or engrave your property with your driver’s license, so that it can be identified as your property.
• Large displays of valuables should not be visible through the windows and doors of your home.
• Indoor and outdoor lights should be on an automatic timer.
• Leave a radio or television on so the house looks and sounds occupied.

If you leave your vehicle parked on campus or at your residence during the holiday break, remember to:

• Park your vehicle in an area that is visible to the public and well lit at night.
• Secure all doors and windows
• Remove all valuables or secure them out of sight.
• If your vehicle has a built-in security, use it.
• When leaving for a holiday or vacation, do not pack your car the night before. It only makes a more attractive target for a thief.

Holiday Crime Prevention Tips For The Workplace:

The holiday season is a busy time of the year for family and friends. Unfortunately, burglars like the festive holidays because there are more opportunities for them. Here are some helpful hints to consider before leaving the workplace at A&M for the holidays:

• All inner office doors and building exterior doors should be closed and locked. Do not prop open an exterior door if working after hours during the break.
• Personnel working during the holidays should be aware of their personal safety. Let someone know where you are and when you are expected to return.
• All computers, portable equipment, and tools should be secured or locked away.
• Close and secure all windows. An unlocked window makes easy access to the rest of the building.
• All valuable personal items should be taken home or securely locked away.
• Report any suspicious activity or unauthorized personnel immediately to the University Police Department. If you cannot reach a telephone, use one of the emergency phones located throughout campus.

Holiday Crime Prevention Tips While Shopping:

• Stay alert to your surroundings and the people around you.
• Shop with a friend. There is safety in numbers.
• Avoid carrying large amounts of cash.
• Pay for purchases with a check, credit or debit card.
• If possible, carry only your driver’s license, personal checks, or necessary credit or debit cards.
• If you must carry a purse, do not wrap the straps around your arms or shoulders. Carry a clutch purse tightly under your arm or wear a fanny pack.
• Do not carry a wallet in a back pocket. It should be placed in a front pocket of your pants for safety.
• Be alert that crooks look for the “high dollar” shopping bags with your purchases. When possible, slip bags/purchases in a plain nondescript bag.
• Watch purchases while eating in mall food courts; bags can easily be switched or taken.
• Educate your children about what to do if they are lost as well as “Stranger Danger”.
• Don’t overburden yourself with too many packages. Use store’s package pick-up if it is offered.
• Have your car keys ready in hand before leaving the store.
• If you do return to your vehicle to unload purchases, place them in the trunk of the vehicle.
• Try not to shop until the store closes. Remember, fewer people are present at this time.

Holiday Crime Prevention Tips In Parking Lots:

• Shop early and leave early to avoid evening darkness.
• Park in a high visibility area and check for lighting in case you leave during hours of darkness.
• Do not park next to a vehicle with dark tinted windows.
• Prior to arriving at the shopping center, lock all your valuables in the trunk of your vehicle.
• Leave the store with others, not alone.
• Ask security to escort you to your vehicle if you feel uncomfortable.
• Walk briskly, confidently, and directly through the parking lot. Be cautious of people handing out fliers or asking questions in the parking area.
• Watch for people who may be following you. This can occur inside as well as outside. If you suspect someone following you, report it to security immediately.

Holiday Crime Prevention Tips At Home:

• Keep the outside of your home well lit with doors locked and window curtains closed.
• Don’t display gifts beneath the Christmas tree that can be seen from windows or doors.
• After the holidays, don’t advertise gifts received by the boxes left for the garbage collection. Destroy boxes and place in a sealed, non-clear garbage bag.

Additional crime prevention tips may be received by contacting the University Police Crime Prevention Unit, 979-862-8125 or at http://upd.tamu.edu

The safety of our community does not have borders. It is the goal of every law enforcement agency to protect the citizens that we serve. Be the eyes and ears of your police department. When you see suspicious activity contact the Texas A&M University Police Department at 979-845-2345, the College Station Police Department at 979-764-3600, or the Bryan Police Department and the Brazos County Sheriff’s Office at 979-361-3888. Together we can make a difference in our community.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TO: News Media Representatives
FROM: Lieutenant Allan Baron
DATE: December 10, 2014 – 0000 hrs.
SUBJECT: Chief J. Michael Ragan selected to serve on the IACLEA Board of Directors

Texas A&M University Police Chief J. Michael Ragan has been selected to serve on the IACLEA Board of Directors. Chief Ragan will serve as the Southwest Regional Director for association members in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, and Wyoming. Currently the southwest region has representation from over 90 colleges and universities.

IACLEA was founded in 1958 and continues to serve as a leading voice for campus public safety. The organization represents more than 1200 colleges and universities in 20 countries.

Chief Ragan has been a member of the Texas A&M University Police Department for the past 34 years and has served as Chief of Police since October 2013.

  Chief J. Michael Ragan

The safety of our community does not have borders. It is the goal of every law enforcement agency to protect the citizens that we serve. Be the eyes and ears of your police department. When you see suspicious activity contact the Texas A&M University Police Department at 979-845-2345, the College Station Police Department at 979-764-3600, or the Bryan Police Department and the Brazos County Sheriff’s Office at 979-361-3888. Together we can make a difference in our community.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TO: News Media Representatives
FROM: Lieutenant Allan Baron
DATE: December 5, 2014 – 1500 hours
SUBJECT: News Release – Texas A&M University Police Welcomes New Police Officers

The Texas A&M University Police Department (TAMU-PD) would like to welcome two new police officers to the department, Mark Kozack and Norma Schoellman.

Officers Kozack and Schoellman were sworn in today by Chief J. Michael Ragan during a ceremony at the TAMU-PD honoring their recent completion of the Central Texas Police Academy’s 155th Basic Peace Officer Course. Following the ceremony, the officers will attend their academy graduation ceremony at the Annenberg Presidential Conference Center.

On Monday, December 8th, Officers Kozack and Schoellman will report for duty to begin their field training. The officers will spend the next 20 weeks paired with Field Training Officers to learn the duties of being a police officer at Texas A&M University.

                    Officer Mark Kozack                              Officer Norma Schoellman

The safety of our community does not have borders. It is the goal of every law enforcement agency to protect the citizens that we serve. Be the eyes and ears of your police department. When you see suspicious activity contact the Texas A&M University Police Department at 979-845-2345, the College Station Police Department at 979-764-3600, or the Bryan Police Department and the Brazos County Sheriff’s Office at 979-361-3888. Together we can make a difference in our community.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TO: News Media Representatives
FROM: Lieutenant Allan Baron
DATE: December 2, 2014 – 1400 hrs.
SUBJECT: Texas A&M University Police Department Receives CALEA Accreditation

On November 22, 2014, the Texas A&M University Police Department (TAMU-PD) was awarded full accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc. (CALEA).

In August 2014, CALEA conducted an in-depth on-site assessment of the TAMU-PD to examine all aspects of the department’s policies and procedures, management, operations, and support services. The assessors were tasked with the review of over 180 standards and verification of department compliance. Following the on-site assessment, the department received a recommendation of accreditation from the assessment team.

During the Fall CALEA Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico, department officials completed a comprehensive examination with the CALEA Review Committee. Upon recommendation from the Committee, the full Commission unanimously agreed to award full accreditation status to the TAMU-PD.

The TAMU-PD joins other CALEA law enforcement agencies, both large and small, from across the county that are committed to professional excellence, following best law enforcement practices and improving service to the community. The accreditation is valid for three years, during which time, the department must submit annual reports attesting continued compliance of the standards in which the accreditation was initially received.

CALEA was established in 1979 as a result of combined efforts of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), the National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA) and the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) to establish a law enforcement credentialing authority.

Receiving the award on behalf of the department was Chief J. Michael Ragan, Assistant Chief Robert Meyer, Sergeant Craig Ellsworth, and Accreditation Program Manager Tim Adams.

The safety of our community does not have borders. It is the goal of every law enforcement agency to protect the citizens that we serve. Be the eyes and ears of your police department. When you see suspicious activity contact the Texas A&M University Police Department at 979-845-2345, the College Station Police Department at 979-764-3600, or the Bryan Police Department and the Brazos County Sheriff’s Office at 979-361-3888. Together we can make a difference in our community.