Suspect allegedly stole personal items from faculty offices
BY: TANIA ROBIN
Staff Writer
Meramec experienced several thefts over winter break, according to several press releases from Ashley Bain, Marketing and Communications Coordinator.
On Jan. 4, an email was sent out to faculty and staff explaining that campus police were looking for a person of interest (POI) who was on campus a few weeks before the school opened to returning professors preparing for the spring semester. The POI was thought to be unarmed. Photos taken by Meramec’s 24-hour video surveillance system show a young black male searching several buildings on campus. Several items were taken from classrooms and offices.
English professor Jeffrey Schneider was one of the victims of the thief. Schneider said he thought his office, located in the Communications North building, would be secured over winter break. Schneider was surprised to find, upon returning to campus, that his Disney school bus lunchbox and matching thermos had been taken.
The set had been with Schneider since he first attended school and has been in his office since he started working at STLCC Meramec. He valued them at $200, leading him to believe the thief may have intended to sell them online.
“I had my lunch box and thermos since 1973,” said Schneider. “I won’t be able to replace that. Those two items were important to me.”
As of Jan. 17, the police were able to identify and arrest the suspect from the photos thanks to citizen tips and reports from professors about missing personal items. Lieutenant Officer William Ozmec said that campus police couldn’t divulge any information about the suspect because the case is still under ongoing investigation. He added that the intruder’s case is now in the hands of a prosecuting attorney.
Despite the arrest, Schneider’s belongings have not been returned to him. Schneider said that his dean personally replaced his lunchbox and thermos after hearing of his loss and that he was extremely appreciative of the kind gesture.
