Feb. 7 | 2:44 p.m.

University Police Department (UPD) officers were called to the Lambda Chi fraternity house for a report of criminal mischief to vehicles.

Upon arrival, officers found multiple vehicles covered in ketchup and mustard on the inside and outside. Vehicles also had their tires deflated. Upon speaking with the victims, they reported that the incident had occurred around 3:00 a.m. 

The Lambda Chi fraternity house had video footage of the suspects and the criminal mischief. Officers gathered statements from the victims involved and photographed the damage and vehicles.

Victim One reported that his Jeep had been covered in ketchup and mustard and the air let out of his tires. He further reported that when the mustard was removed, it damaged the paint and discolored it.

Victim Two reported that he found his car covered in ketchup and mustard, as well as the air let out of his front right and back left tires. He further reported that after removing the mustard, some of his paint had also been damaged.

Victim Three reported that his two vehicles were covered in ketchup and mustard, as well as the air let out of his tires in both vehicles. Both of his vehicles were also vandalized on the inside, spraying ketchup and mustard on the front and back seats, dashboard and other areas inside the vehicles. A broken table was left inside one of his vehicles as well.

Victim Four reported that her vehicle was covered in ketchup and mustard as well and the inside back seat was covered in ketchup and mustard.

Victims plan on getting quotes for paint and detailing services for the inside of their vehicles.

Other vehicles had air let out of their tires or were also covered in ketchup and mustard, however the owners either declined statements or were not present.

Upon completing the victim statements, officers returned to the UPD office to review footage around the time of the incident.

Officers were able to observe a White Nissan with people riding in the truck bed park in the Fowler Center lot during the course of the incident. Officers obtained a tag from the vehicle, positively identified it and the driver, Suspect Two. After backtracking the vehicle on camera, it originated from the North Park Quads building one. 

When reviewing cameras of the time leading up to the incident, Suspect One, Suspect Two and Suspect Three are seen on camera carrying beer, along with ketchup and mustard bottles to their room at 10:58 p.m. on Feb. 6, then leaving their room in the jerseys that suspects were observed wearing at the time of the incident at 2:02 a.m.

Officers went to North Park Quads and made contact with Suspect Two to question him. Upon contact, Suspect One was also present in the room. Officer Marcus Caskey and Sargent Chase Barnett informed Suspect Two of his legal rights and he agreed to speak with the officers. 

When officers asked him about the events of the early morning hours, Suspect Two tried to deny involvement until officers told him they had him on camera in the jerseys and carrying bottles of ketchup and mustard. 

Suspect Two then agreed to be truthful and told officers that he, Suspect One and their other roommate, Suspect Three went over and sprayed the vehicles with ketchup and mustard, and let air out of the tires. They admitted that all three were involved. 

Following the interview with Suspect Two and Suspect One, the officers went back to work on the report. Shortly after, Suspect Two called UPD and wanted to speak with Barnett. 

Suspect Two said he wanted to tell officers more information and apologize. He stated that more individuals were involved and gave officers their names. Suspect Four, Suspect Five, Suspect Six, Suspect Seven and Suspect Eight.

Suspect Two said that while they are all members of Pike Fraternity, it was not a fraternity thing. Barnett informed him that, given that members of one fraternity were targeting another, it’s unfortunately a fraternity issue.

After speaking with Suspect Two, about 30 minutes later, Suspect One called Barnett to “be completely truthful.” 

Again, he was advised of his rights and still wanted to make a statement. Suspect One apologized and wanted to remedy the situation as well as name the other individuals involved. Suspect One named all the people that Suspect Two had named. 

Suspect One also said they were all members of the Pike fraternity. As such, Pike Fraternity was added to the report as well, given that all suspects are members targeting another Fraternity.

Categories: Campus Crime