By James Herold and Jamie Miller
Hit and run crash between two GRCC students in Ramp B.
On Aug. 28, at 3:18 p.m., the Grand Rapids Community College Police Department was dispatched to a hit and run in Ramp B on level 6. Dispatch advised that the victim was in the front lobby.
The GRCC Police officer contacted the victim, a GRCC student, who stated that the vehicle that struck him was still inside the ramp. GRCC Police arrived at the victim’s vehicle parked on Ramp B, level 6. The officer noticed minimal damage to his bumper on the left side. The officer then noticed the car parked to the left of his had damage on the right headlight. He stated that he was hit while working at the fieldhouse. He explained that it happened between the hours of 8 a.m. and 3:20 p.m.
The officer took pictures of the damage. While taking pictures, the officer noticed the person who struck the victim’s vehicle left a note. The victim called this number, and he stated they would exchange information. The officer told him they would give him a report number just in case his insurance needed it.
The officer later contacted the suspect, a GRCC student, in the GRCC Police Department front lobby. She stated that she struck the victim’s vehicle and talked to him via text about the incident. The officer gave her a self-reporting form to fill out and exchange with the victim. She said she would fill it out and exchange it.
GRCC student’s car window damaged in Parking Lot A.
On Aug. 31, at 3:53 p.m., GRCC Police were dispatched to the GRCC PD lobby to reference a damage to property report that occurred in the GRCC Parking Ramp A . The officer proceeded to the GRCC PD lobby, where they made contact with the victim and then proceeded to the scene to assess the damage to the vehicle.
The victim’s vehicle is a black 2016 Chevrolet Equinox. Upon arrival on the scene, the officer noticed that the vehicle had a rear window broken and there was glass all over the ground beneath the broken window. The officer inspected the damage with the victim and they were able to determine that no items were missing from the vehicle. The officer asked the victim what time she arrived at class on that day. She said she began class at 9 a.m., and when she arrived on GRCC property the window was intact. She stated when she came out to her vehicle after class at 3:56 p.m., the rear window was broken. The victim did not remember the vehicles parked near her when she arrived, and there was no note indicating damage, and no suspect near the scene.
The officer asked the victim if anyone else had access to the vehicle on that day, and she stated no one else had access. The officer also asked her if she knew of anyone who would potentially vandalize the vehicle, and she explained that she commutes from the Battle Creek/Kalamazoo area, and did not know anyone in Grand Rapids who would vandalize the vehicle. The victim advised the officer that she did not believe the damage was malicious.
The officer assisted the victim in taping trash bags onto the rear window so she could travel home, and also took a photograph of the damage. Due to this not being a car accident, the officer did not collect insurance information from the victim.
The officer advised the victim that a report would be written, and also advised her of how to attain a copy for insurance purposes if need be.
Female GRCC Student verbally harassed and nearly stabbed by a man at an off-campus restaurant.
On Aug. 31, at approximately 9:33 p.m., GRCC Police were dispatched to the GRCC PD lobby for a call about trouble with a person.
Upon arrival, a GRCC Police officer spoke with a GRCC student who stated that he was at Hong Kong Express, 158 Fulton St. E, when she was approached by a man wearing a light blue t-shirt, light blue joggers, and very high socks. He was light-skinned, with blond or brown hair, approximately 6’4”, and talked with an accent.
The man started to ask for the student’s name, what she was doing, and where she was going, etc. She said that after dismissing him he got more vocally aggressive. He mumbled what sounded like he was calling her names, like “b*tch” and something about an attack. She stated that she could not understand him because she was wearing her earbuds.
She then she got up to leave the restaurant and it appeared like he was getting up to follow her and reaching for something in his pocket shaped like a pocket knife. She explained he followed her out of the restaurant but she ran leaving him behind. She said the suspect never touched her and that she did not need any medical attention. The officer walked her to her car which was located in Ramp B, Level 5. The officer searched the surrounding areas for the suspect, but the suspect was never located.
Graffiti found on trash cans at Olivarez Plaza.
On Sept. 5, at 6:39 a.m., GRCC Police were dispatched to damage to property report. Dispatch said that there was graffiti on some of the GRCC owned trash cans on the Dr. Juan R. Olivarez Student Plaza.
Upon the officer’s first arrival, they spoke with a GRCC building manager. He said that he found the graffiti that morning while doing his building checks. He said the graffiti was not there when he checked on Sept. 5 at approximately 9:30 a.m. He then showed the officer the graffiti.
The graffiti appears to have been done with a blue marker. It consists of a circle design with lines coming off the circle. The graffiti was located on three trash can lids and one bench.
Trespasser found in Bostwick Ramp A
On Aug. 8, at 5:37 p.m. Grand Rapids Community College police were dispatched to Ramp A at 140 Bostwick Ave to respond to reports of a suspected trespasser. According to reports, the individual was lying down in the middle elevator not letting students enter and blocking the door with his belongings. The responding officer made contact with the trespasser on the fifth floor. The officer did not see his belongings blocking the entrance, as was reported, nor was the man lying inside.
Regardless, the officer explained the situation to the suspect and asked if he was a student. Upon stating that he was not, the officer advised him that if he wasn’t a student or staff member, he was trespassing. The officer than asked the man for an ID and the man complied, producing his state ID. The officer then ran a check for warrants and discovered a warrant from Muskegon for shoplifting.
The man was briefly taken into custody before being released under advice from Muskegon County, who told the officer to simply remind the man of his warrant. The man was warned once again about his trespassing and released without further incident.
Vandals at G2 entrance to Main (RJF) Building
On Aug. 31, at 1 p.m. officers received a report of damage to a steel plate adjacent to the west G2 entrance of GRCC’s main/north building. The officer arrived to notice graffiti on the plate in question. The officer then took photos of the plate and left. The total monetary investment to repair damage is $20.
Student suffers superficial slice from scalpel
On Aug. 30, at 12:39 p.m. an officer was dispatched to room 424 in Cook Hall after a student cut herself with a scalpel while dissecting a pig. Though her cut was superficial, the student was concerned it might become infected. She asked the officer to locate the origin of the carcass in order to verify the cleanliness of the pig remains. Upon explaining they were unable to do this the instructor pointed out the box they were shipped in read ‘DeVries Meats.’ Limited research on the part of the officer revealed it has the status of animal welfare approved and certified by the USDA.
Suspicious individual at bookstore
On Aug. 31, at 11:47 a.m. an officer was dispatched to the GRCC Barnes and Noble bookstore after receiving a call of potential retail fraud. The suspect was reported to be a man wearing a Columbia shirt. After arriving at the scene, the officer talked to the caller, who explained to the officer that she witnessed the suspect crouch down at a nearby display stand, look over his shoulder and potentially access his backpack. She told the officer she did not witness the man actually manipulate or conceal any merchandise but that he was acting suspiciously to her. The officer explained that the information was not enough for the police to get involved but that the department could attempt to act as a visual deterrent in the future.