Students Under Investigation for ID Theft, Plot to Burglarize Buildings
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Two George Mason University students are under investigation for allegedly stealing a campus police officer’s ID information and plotting to burglarize buildings on campus.
According to NBC 4, the investigation began in early May when police discovered someone had obtained a campus police officer’s ID information. The unidentified thief had been using the information to gain access to unauthorized areas, including a housing office in the Chesapeake housing area. Spotting a pattern in the usage of a particular student’s ID, police went to his residence to confront him.
NBC 4 reports that the affidavit for the police’s search warrant indicates that, when confronted, the student denied knowing anything about making an access card. Police then noticed a safe and asked the suspect what was inside. The affidavit states that he willingly opened the safe and “in plain view was a box of access cards.” He additionally allowed the police to inspect his laptop, desktop, thumb drives and media card, according to the affidavit.
Upon examination of the computer goods, investigators found child porn videos, as well as a spreadsheet with student names and credit card information. Police also found an online chat between the suspect and another Mason student from Herndon discussing a plot to climb through ceilings and burglarize campus buildings.
According to NBC 4, both students were found to be cadets in Mason’s ROTC program.
University Press Secretary Dan Walsch confirmed that the investigation was underway, and additionally, that the police investigation reached the suspected student’s dorm room in the Tidewater residence building on May 5—the same day a hazardous chemical scare occurred at the same location.
According to earlier Connect2Mason reports, the scare occurred during the course of what Assistant Chief of Police George Ginovsky called “an unrelated law enforcement investigation of possible criminal activity by a student.” Potassium nitrate was found in the fifth floor room, along with “other implements” and a pepper spray hand projector, but “no real firearms.” Fairfax County Hazardous Materials personnel removed the potassium nitrate, and no charges were filed.
Potassium nitrate is commonly known as saltpeter. It is best known for being used to create gunpowder and fertilizer. However, it has also been used to create amateur rocket fuel and fireworks. .
Connect2Mason is continuing to investigate this story.
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