This post was written by Hatchet reporter Anthony Tusino.
A man stole items including a laptop and a wallet from two rooms in Potomac House last week, a University Police Department detective said.
UPD detectives saw a “suspicious” man on security footage “roaming the residence hall” on April 5, UPD Detective Matthew Robinson said at a meeting with The Hatchet last week. Robinson said UPD responded to a report of a stolen laptop and a wallet in two separate rooms.
Robinson said officers did not catch the suspect and he was not arrested.
Amy Bhatt, the student who reported the incident, said her $1,200 Macbook Air was stolen after her roommate left the door unlocked. She said she was not in her room when the theft occurred, which was around 11 a.m. on that day, according to documents obtained from the Metropolitan Police Department.
Bhatt said in an email that her laptop, laptop charger and phone charger are missing. She said there is not usually a Community Service Aide checking GWorld cards at Potomac’s entrance in the mornings, when the theft allegedly occurred.
“Had they been there, the man would not have been able to get into the building and all the way up to the eighth floor,” she said.
Bhatt added that she and her roommates no longer feel safe in the building and have encouraged other residents to take safety precautions.
“My floor and others in Potomac now know to keep their doors locked at all times,” Bhatt said.
Bhatt said the University will not reimburse her for the things taken from her room. GW’s risk management policy states that GW will not reimburse students or staff members for stolen electronics unless there is evidence of forced entry.
Sam Eppler contributed reporting.