News and Updates
Below are CMU Police Department updates, as well as recent Crime and Safety Alerts sent to the campus community. (View the CMU-Alert page for more details about those updates.) Expand the headings below for the full message content.
Nov. 28, 2023: SAFETY ALERT - Burglary
Timeframe of Incident: November 26 – November 27
Location of Incident: 5200/5300 Block of Beeler Street
Type of Incident: Burglary
Description of Incident: Since early Sunday morning, November 26, two burglaries of off-campus CMU student residences have been reported near the east side of campus in the 5200/5300 blocks of Beeler Street. Investigators believe that the points of entry were an unlocked rear door and a rear window. The burglaries occurred while the residences were unoccupied, therefore no injuries were reported in either incident.
Since these incidents occurred off campus, the investigations are being handled by the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. If you have any information to share regarding these incidents, please contact the Pittsburgh Police by calling 9-1-1.
General Prevention and Safety Tips:
- Keep all residential doors and windows locked at all times.
- Keep your important belongings, currency, jewelry and electronics in a secure area, such as a safe or lockbox.
- Report any suspicious incidents, persons or vehicles immediately to CMU Police at 412-268-2323, or when off campus to the Pittsburgh Police at 9-1-1.
Sincerely,
Aaron V. Lauth
Chief of Police
Carnegie Mellon University Police Department
The purpose of CMU Crime and Safety Alerts is to increase community awareness by notifying community members of the date, time, location and description of incidents that occur on (Crime Alerts) or near (Safety Alerts) campus. This awareness aids in the prevention of future crimes and provides our campus community the information they need to make informed decisions about their own safety. Crime and Safety Alerts will not include the names of victims or identifying information of suspects, unless approved by the Chief of Police in consultation with the Vice President for Operations. For more information, visit cmu.edu/police.
Nov. 17, 2023 - CRIME ALERT: Aggravated Assault
CRIME ALERT 23-002
Date/Time of Incident: November 17th @ 12:49 a.m.
Location of Incident: 5000 Block of Forbes Avenue
Type of Incident: Aggravated Assault
Description of Incident: On November 17th at 12:49 am, CMU Police assisted the City of Pittsburgh Police and University of Pittsburgh Police with the investigation of multiple reports of aggravated assault with an airsoft/pellet gun in the Oakland area.
At 12:57 am, while officers were searching the area for the suspects, a CMU Security Officer reported that he was struck on the arm by a pellet while walking along the sidewalk in the 5000 block of Forbes Avenue. It appeared that the pellet was fired by someone in a passing vehicle. The Security Officer was not injured as a result of being struck by the projectile.
Through the investigation, a suspect vehicle was identified as possibly being involved in the incident on Forbes Avenue as well as similar incidents in other locations in the Oakland area.
Investigators continue to attempt to track down the occupants of the vehicle and the identity of person who discharged the airsoft/pellet gun.
If you have any information to share regarding these incidents, please contact the CMU Police by calling (412) 268-2323.
General Prevention and Safety Tips:
- Stay alert to your surroundings at all times.
- Do not approach suspicious persons or vehicles.
- Avoid walking alone, especially after dark.
- Report any suspicious incidents, persons or vehicles immediately to CMU Police at 412-268-2323, or when off campus to the Pittsburgh Police at 9-1-1.
Sincerely,
Aaron V. Lauth
Chief of Police
Carnegie Mellon University Police Department
The purpose of CMU Crime and Safety Alerts is to increase community awareness by notifying community members of the date, time, location and description of incidents that occur on (Crime Alerts) or near (Safety Alerts) campus. This awareness aids in the prevention of future crimes and provides our campus community the information they need to make informed decisions about their own safety. Crime and Safety Alerts will not include the names of victims or identifying information of suspects, unless approved by the Chief of Police in consultation with the Vice President for Operations. For more information, visit cmu.edu/police.
Oct. 29, 2023 - SAFETY ALERT: Aggravated Assault
Date/Time of Incident: October 29th @ 12:49 am
Location of Incident: 300 Block of Morewood Avenue
Type of Incident: Aggravated Assault
Description of Incident: Early Sunday morning, October 29th at 12:49 am, two CMU students and two CMU alumni were walking in the 300 block of Morewood Avenue when an individual exited a car and started a verbal argument with one of the CMU alumni. The individual then produced a handgun and shot into the air before using the handgun as a blunt object to strike the alumnus in the face. The perpetrator then fled the scene. Police responded and began a search for the suspect. The alumnus was treated by paramedics for minor injuries.
Since this incident occurred off campus, the investigation is being handled by the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. If you have any information to share regarding this incident, please contact the Pittsburgh Police by calling 9-1-1.
General Prevention and Safety Tips:
- Stay alert to your surroundings at all times.
- Do not approach suspicious persons or vehicles.
- Avoid walking alone, especially after dark.
- Report any suspicious incidents, persons or vehicles immediately to CMU Police at 412-268-2323, or when off campus to the Pittsburgh Police at 9-1-1.
Aaron V. Lauth
Chief of Police
Carnegie Mellon University Police Department
The purpose of CMU Crime and Safety Alerts is to increase community awareness by notifying community members of the date, time, location and description of incidents that occur on (Crime Alerts) or near (Safety Alerts) campus. This awareness aids in the prevention of future crimes and provides our campus community the information they need to make informed decisions about their own safety. Crime and Safety Alerts will not include the names of victims or identifying information of suspects, unless approved by the Chief of Police in consultation with the Vice President for Operations. For more information, visit cmu.edu/police.
July 27, 2023 - SAFETY ALERT: Violent Altercation
Date/Time of Incident: July 27th @ 12:25 a.m.
Location of Incident: Schenley Park near Panther Hollow Lake
Type of Incident: Violent Altercation
Description of Incident: On Thursday, July 27th at 12:25 a.m., CMUPD officers responded to Schenley Park near Panther Hollow Lake to assist officers from the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police for reports of a violent altercation resulting in a person being stabbed.
In addition to searching the area for the alleged suspect, CMUPD officers ensured that all occupied University Housing buildings were secure. Officers determined there were no threats to our community. Officers also determined that no one involved in the altercation had any direct affiliation to CMU.
Since this incident occurred off campus, the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police is handling the investigation. If you have any information to share regarding this incident, please contact the Pittsburgh Police by calling 9-1-1.
General Prevention and Safety Tips:
- Stay alert to your surroundings at all times.
- Do not approach suspicious persons or vehicles.
- Avoid walking alone, especially after dark.
- Report any suspicious incidents, persons or vehicles immediately to CMU Police at 412-268-2323, or when off campus to the Pittsburgh Police at 9-1-1.
Sincerely,
Aaron V. Lauth
Chief of Police
Carnegie Mellon University Police Department
June 22, 2023 - CRIME ALERT: Student Housing Invoice Scam
Type of Incident: Student Housing Invoice Scam
Description: This crime alert is to inform the CMU community about a recently reported scam involving fraudulent housing invoices sent to CMU students.
Persons purporting to be representatives of the CMU Student Accounts Office emailed fraudulent invoices requesting payment for campus housing for the upcoming academic year. The email and the attached invoice featured CMU logos and appeared legitimate, however, it also contained details that should be red flags for a recipient. The sender’s email address was a Gmail account. The bank account listed for payment was under a person’s name, not Carnegie Mellon.
Please be aware that official monthly student account invoice notifications sent by the CMU Student Accounts Office are delivered to students and families using the email address: sao-bounces@andrew.cmu.edu. Other billing and payment related emails are sent either by The HUB (thehub@andrew.cmu.edu) or the Student Accounts Office (student-accounts@andrew.cmu.
If you have any questions related to billing or payments, please email The HUB at thehub@andrew.cmu.edu or call (412) 268-8186.
For more information on these type of phishing scams, please visit the CMU Information Security Office page on the CMU website - https://www.cmu.edu/iso/aware/
If you believe you are the victim of a scam, please contact CMUPD by calling (412) 268-2323 or email at campuspd@andrew.cmu.edu.
Sincerely,
Aaron V. Lauth
Chief of Police
Carnegie Mellon University Police Department
The purpose of CMU Crime and Safety Alerts is to increase community awareness by notifying community members of the date, time, location, and description of incidents that occur on (Crime Alerts) or near (Safety Alerts) campus. This awareness aids in the prevention of future crimes and provides our campus community the information they need to make informed decisions about their own safety. Crime and Safety Alerts will not include the names of victims or identifying information of suspects, unless approved by the Chief of Police in consultation with the Vice President for Operations. For more information, visit cmu.edu/police.
April 22, 2023 - SAFETY ALERT: Attempted Robbery
Date/Time of Incident: April 22nd @ 11:40 pm
Location of Incident: Near Flagstaff Hill
Type of Incident: Attempted Robbery
Description of Incident: On Saturday, April 22nd at 11:40 pm, two CMU students walking near Flagstaff Hill in Schenley Park were approached by a group of five college-aged individuals. One suspect reached into a student’s pocket and removed their wallet. When the suspect determined there was no cash, the suspect threw the wallet back at the victim. Another suspect demanded the wallet from the other student, which the student refused. During the exchange, the student was struck over the head with a plastic bottle. The suspect also threatened to shoot the victim; however no firearm was observed. The suspects then left the victims and the area.
Since this incident occurred off campus, the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police is handling the investigation. If you have any information to share regarding this incident, please contact the Pittsburgh Police by calling 9-1-1.
General Prevention and Safety Tips:
- Stay alert to your surroundings at all times.
- Do not fight with an assailant who attempts to steal your belongings.
- Do not approach suspicious persons or vehicles.
- Avoid walking alone, especially after dark.
- Report any suspicious incidents, persons or vehicles immediately to CMU Police at 412-268-2323, or when off campus to the Pittsburgh Police at 9-1-1.
Aaron V. Lauth
Chief of Police
Carnegie Mellon University Police Department
Nov. 18, 2022 - CRIME ALERT: Thefts of E-Scooters & E-Bikes
CRIME ALERT 22-003
Type of Incident: Thefts of e-scooters & e-bikes
Description: This Crime Alert is to inform you about recent thefts of e-scooters and e-bikes from various locations around campus.
Since November 13, CMUPD has received reports of five thefts: four e-scooters and an e-bike. It was reported that one e-scooter had its cable lock cut, while in the other four incidents no locks were used.
We urge anyone with information on these crimes to contact University Police at 412-268-2323.
General Prevention and Safety Tips:
• Always lock your scooter or bike to a fixed object with a good quality locking device, such as a U-Lock.
• Consider applying a tracking device to your scooter or bike, such as an AirTag.
• Register your scooter or bike with CMUPD by visiting our website, cmu.edu/police.
Aaron V. Lauth
Chief of Police
Carnegie Mellon University Police Department
The purpose of CMU Crime and Safety Alerts is to increase community awareness by notifying community members of the date, time, location and description of incidents that occur on (Crime Alerts) or near (Safety Alerts) campus. This awareness aids in the prevention of future crimes and provides our campus community members with the information they need to make informed decisions about their own safety. Crime and Safety Alerts will not include the names of victims or identifying information of suspects, unless approved by the Chief of Police in consultation with the Vice President for Operations. For more information, visit cmu.edu/police.
Oct. 4, 2022 - SAFETY ALERT: Carjacking/Robbery
SAFETY ALERT 22004
Date/Time of Incident: October 4th @ 10:40 pm
Location of Incident: 5900 block of Alder Street
Type of Incident: Carjacking / Robbery
Description of Incident: On Tuesday, October 4th at 10:40 pm, a CMU student was exiting their vehicle in the parking lot of an apartment building in the 5900 block of Alder Street when an individual approached. The individual brandished a firearm and told the student to leave their keys in the car and run away. The student exited their vehicle, ran a few blocks away, then called 9-1-1. City of Pittsburgh and CMU Police responded and began an investigation.
This is the third reported carjacking incident that has occurred in the area during the past few weeks. The victims in two of these incidents have been CMU students. All of these incidents are under investigation by the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police to attempt to determine if they are related. If you have any information, or if you live in this area and have video footage that may have captured the incident, please contact the Pittsburgh Police by calling 9-1-1.
Please take extra precautions to keep yourself safe at night and do not hesitate to contact 9-1-1 or 412-268-2323 immediately if you observe anything suspicious.
CMU Safety Alerts provide a timely notification to our community about reported incidents in the area surrounding campus. CMU Safety Alerts are sent to the entire Pittsburgh campus.
General Prevention and Safety Tips:
• Stay alert to your surroundings at all times.
• Do not fight with an assailant who attempts to steal your belongings.
• Do not approach suspicious persons or vehicles.
• Avoid walking alone, especially after dark.
• Report any suspicious incidents, persons or vehicles immediately to CMU Police at 412-268-2323, or when off campus to the Pittsburgh Police at 9-1-1.
Sincerely,
Aaron V. Lauth
Chief of Police
Carnegie Mellon University Police Department
The purpose of CMU Crime and Safety Alerts is to increase community awareness by notifying community members of the date, time, location and description of incidents that occur on (Crime Alerts) or near (Safety Alerts) campus. This awareness aids in the prevention of future crimes and provides our campus community the information they need to make informed decisions about their own safety. Crime and Safety Alerts will not include the names of victims or identifying information of suspects, unless approved by the Chief of Police in consultation with the Vice President for Operations. For more information, visit cmu.edu/police.
Sept. 29, 2022 - SAFETY ALERT: Carjacking/Robbery
SAFETY ALERT 22003
Date/Time of Incident: September 29th @ 11:05 p.m.
Location of Incident: 700 block of College Street
Type of Incident: Carjacking / Robbery
Description of Incident: Last night, we were notified of an incident that occurred on Thursday, September 29th at 11:05 pm in the Shadyside neighborhood. A CMU student left an apartment building in the 700 block of College Street to walk to her vehicle. As she was entering her vehicle, she observed three individuals walking toward her. One individual suddenly opened her car door and pointed a gun at her stating "Give me your money!" The two other individuals tried getting into the rear doors of her vehicle, however they were locked. The first individual then told the student to get out of the car. She complied and the three individuals jumped into her car and fled down College Street toward Fifth Avenue.
Upon calling 9-1-1, City of Pittsburgh Police responded and began an investigation. The student’s vehicle was eventually found abandoned in a parking lot in the 5500 Block of Ardmore Boulevard.
This incident is under investigation by the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. If you have any information, or if you live in this area and have video footage that may have captured the incident, please contact the Pittsburgh Police by calling 9-1-1.
CMU Safety Alerts provide a timely notification to our community about reported incidents in the area surrounding campus. CMU Safety Alerts are sent to the entire Pittsburgh campus.
General Prevention and Safety Tips:
• Stay alert to your surroundings at all times.
• Do not fight with an assailant who attempts to steal your belongings.
• Do not approach suspicious persons or vehicles.
• Avoid walking alone, especially after dark.
• Report any suspicious incidents, persons or vehicles immediately to CMU Police at 412-268-2323, or when off campus to the Pittsburgh Police at 9-1-1.
Sincerely,
Aaron V. Lauth
Chief of Police
Carnegie Mellon University Police Department
The purpose of CMU Crime and Safety Alerts is to increase community awareness by notifying community members of the date, time, location and description of incidents that occur on (Crime Alerts) or near (Safety Alerts) campus. This awareness aids in the prevention of future crimes and provides our campus community the information they need to make informed decisions about their own safety. Crime and Safety Alerts will not include the names of victims or identifying information of suspects, unless approved by the Chief of Police in consultation with the Vice President for Operations. For more information, visit cmu.edu/police.
Sept. 24, 2022 - CRIME ALERT: Burglary/Theft
CRIME ALERT 22002
Date/Time of Incident: September 24th @ 12:00 p.m.
Location of Incident: Morewood Gardens Dormitory
Type of Incident: Burglary/Theft
This crime alert is to inform you about an incident that occurred at approximately 12 p.m. on Saturday, September 24 inside the Morewood Gardens residential building on campus.
A student reported that she was in a 1st floor practice room when an unknown suspect knocked on the door and told the student that someone was in the lobby to see her. When the student left to check the lobby, she left her belongings in the room. It is believed that the suspect then stole the student’s backpack.
Upon returning to the practice room and realizing that her backpack was missing, the student began searching for the suspect. The student located the suspect and challenged him about her missing backpack. The suspect then fled the area.
Eventually, the student’s backpack was found in an elevator. Several items of value were discovered missing from the backpack.
We urge anyone with information on this incident to contact University Police at 412-268-2323.
General Prevention and Safety Tips:
• Always keep your valuables secured.
• Contact CMUPD immediately if you observe anything suspicious.
Chief Aaron V. Lauth
Carnegie Mellon University Police
The purpose of CMU Crime and Safety Alerts is to increase community awareness by notifying community members of the date, time, location and description of incidents that occur on (Crime Alerts) or near (Safety Alerts) campus. This awareness aids in the prevention of future crimes and provides our campus community the information they need to make informed decisions about their own safety. Crime and Safety Alerts will not include the names of victims or identifying information of suspects, unless approved by the Chief of Police in consultation with the Vice President for Operations. For more information, visit cmu.edu/police.
Sept. 1, 2022 - CRIME ALERT: Illegal Package Scam
CRIME ALERT 2022-001
This crime alert is to inform you about fraudulent scams involving individuals posing as United States Postal Service employees and Chinese Law Enforcement officials directed at several members of our university community.
Several students have reported receiving phone calls from persons impersonating United States Postal Service employees. These callers allege that the victims sent illegal packages to China and will face criminal charges. The victims are then contacted by phone or via Skype by individuals posing as Chinese Law Enforcement officials who speak in Mandarin and direct them to wire money or provide personal information including passport information, phone numbers, and banking accounts.
We urge anyone that is targeted in this manner to contact University Police immediately at 412268-2323.
General Prevention and Safety Tips:
• Never provide personal information to strangers.
• Don't discuss financial matters or conduct financial transactions over the phone or computer with unfamiliar parties.
• Hang up if you receive any suspicious phone calls.
• Don’t accept calls from unknown phone numbers.
Chief Aaron V. Lauth
Carnegie Mellon University Police