LSU Police Department is investigating several cell phone thefts, a new trend that surfaced during the summer, said Capt. Cory Lalonde, LSUPD spokesman.
Lalonde said the kind act of lending a cell phone to a stranger in a bind has led to many University students watching a thief run off with their phones.
The thefts occurred in June, July and August, Lalonde said, and LSUPD is working with the Baton Rouge Police Department to crack down on the trend.
Lalonde said five incidents of cell phone theft happened on campus over the summer, two of which were handled by BRPD and three by LSUPD. In each of the cases, students visibly holding their phones were approached by an individual asking to use the phone to make a quick call who then stole the phone, Lalonde said.
Reported incidents have occurred at the University Lakes near Dalrymple Drive and May Street, the Parker Coliseum parking lot, the Greek Amphitheater and on West Chimes Street.
Based on the evidence, LSUPD doesn’t believe the same person is behind all the thefts, Lalonde said.
Meredith Keating, communication disorders sophomore, is one of the students whose phone was taken.
Keating said she was on West Chimes Street at 9:30 a.m. after leaving a summer school class in June when a young man asked to use her iPhone.
She said she had been walking with the phone in her hand when the individual approached her.
“It was the first day of orientation, and I thought he might have been lost,” Keating said, explaining that the individual claimed he needed to contact his mother.
She said once he had the phone, the man told Keating it would not dial out. Then he told her he would keep the phone.
Keating said she thought he was joking, but he quickly ran off with her phone. A report was filed with BRPD, she said, and service to the cell phone was cancelled.
“I am a lot less trusting toward people now,” Keating said.
Lalonde said LSUPD encourages students to be more protective of their belongings.
“The natural inclination is to help, but you must consider your personal property,” Lalonde said.
Students are encouraged to invest in tracking devices for their cellular devices and all other portable electronics, he said.
Lalonde also said LSUPD asks students to report any incident as soon as possible so police can address the situation quickly.
While a robbery is a traumatic and shocking experience, Lalonde said it is important to report as many details of individuals and vehicles as possible.
Students should always be aware of their surroundings and willing to report any suspicious activities, especially at night, Lalonde said. No arrests have been made in any of the cases, he said.
 
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Contact Brian Sibille at [email protected]