Student suspected of auto burglary, theft by deception
The USU Police are looking for the owners of a number of items confiscated during an arrest Oct. 20.
Eighteen-year-old Derek Lauritzen was arrested and booked on suspicion of auto burglary, theft by deception and unlawful consumption of alcohol by a minor. A Cache County sheriff’s deputy driving around early in the morning noticed Lauritzen in the west parking lot of Romney Stadium carrying a large number of items and looking suspicious, according to Capt. Steve Milne of the campus police.
“It looked like Lauritzen was going back to his residence from visiting a friend on campus, and along the way he was just helping himself to what he could find in cars that weren’t locked,” Milne said.
Lauritzen was arrested by the Logan Police and the case was turned over to campus police when it was discovered the incidents happened on campus, according to Milne. He said the police department knows of six cars that were burglarized. The department plans to file for additional charges later in the week.
Milne said many of the stolen items, such as stereo equipment, clothing and jewelry are still at the campus police department unclaimed.
“Obviously there are more victims out there that haven’t come forward to report,” Milne said.
Milne said no other automobile burglaries have been reported to the USU police since August. He said it is likely Lauritzen stole the items Oct. 20 between midnight and 6 a.m., and most of the cars were in the vicinity of Aggie Village and Romney Stadium. He said some of the stolen property is not worth very much, so it is likely people have not yet noticed it missing.
Milne said people who think something may have been stolen from their vehicle can come to the USU Police Department and file a report to see if the description matches the stolen items.
Milne said students need to be careful about what they leave in cars.
“Please keep your cars locked and keep your valuables out of sight,” he said. “Secure them. Either take them with you in your house or secure them in your trunk. Don’t make them a tempting target.”
– la.stewart@aggiemail.usu.edu