Olivia Allery, news editor

On Sept. 29, Augsburg’s Department of Public Safety (DPS) sent out a notice that there had been multiple car thefts on campus. According to the report sent out by DPS, there had been multiple vehicles stolen, including some belonging to students as well as Augsburg Facilities Staff vehicles. The reports of the stolen vehicles all happened within a 24-hour period. These stolen vehicle cases have since been turned over to the Minneapolis Police Department and are in the process of being solved.

One of the stolen vehicles belonged to Olivia Bonshire, an Augsburg student. “This past weekend the police found my car and I got to see it,” said Bonshire in a statement to the Echo. “I don’t know much about how the police found my car or about the person who stole it.” Bonshire continues to explain how the perpetrator broke into her car. “The person who stole my car pried open my passenger door with a crowbar,” she said. “They also scratched off all my bumper stickers and scratched my car. The inside was disgusting and they left drugs and their driver’s license in the car.”

The damage to Bonshire’s car was so severe that she now has to get a new car. “I’m a bit angry as to how my car got stolen in the parking lot behind Mort and Urness,” she said. “Literally my car was in the first row of cars by the tunnel between mort and urness. My car was locked and under a light. I know DPS shouldn’t be to blame because shit happens, however, how the hell do you not notice a person with a crowbar trying to get into a vehicle?” Bonshire felt that Augsburg DPS did not contribute very much to solving the case. “Honestly, they didn’t help much. They just took some notes and told me to file a police report.” 

In the same notice of the vehicle thefts, DPS provided suggestions on how to keep your cars safe while parked on campus. They suggest that you make sure you are always double checking that your car is completely locked before walking away from it. If you are leaving your car parked for multiple days, be sure to check on it at least once a day. Make sure you are not leaving spare keys or fobs in your cars and to put any belongings in the trunk of your car or out of sight of the windows.

DPS also encourages students to use their resources on the DPS website to file any reports, information about parking services, and see emergency notifications for the Augsburg campus. Students can also download the CampusShield app for additional security updates.

Anthony Erchul, Director of Public Safety, was contacted to answer questions about these vehicle thefts but was unable to respond before this article was written.