According to an email from Campus Safety, a break-in occurred at Telefund, Occidental’s student fundraising program, at 3:20 a.m. April 23. CCTV footage shared with the campus community shows a masked and capped individual dressed in light-colored clothing leaving Telefund through the staircases in the Tiger Den at Thorne Hall.
In the email, Campus Safety urged the community to share any pertinent information about the crime. Employees are advised to contact Human Resources or their direct supervisors, and the Dean of Students Office is available to receive reports from students. Anonymous reports can be filed through the incident reporting form.
According to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), police responded to 1600 Campus Road at 8:45 a.m. April 23 for a burglary investigation.
“We met with the school officers,” the LAPD media office said. “Looks like a suspect had broken into a room, vandalized and stolen property.”
The break-in happened on the same day as Day for Oxy, a 36-hour giving period held in honor of Occidental’s founders from midnight April 23 through noon April 24. According to the Student Philanthropy webpage, student callers at Telefund “raise critical support for the Oxy Fund.”
Senior Director of Communications Rachael Warecki said the Telefund office was temporarily relocated and Day for Oxy proceeded successfully.
“The college is taking prompt action to hold any individual involved with the break-in accountable,” Warecki said via email.
According to Warecki, the college administration cannot comment on an ongoing investigation or provide detailed information regarding additional security measures.
Director of Campus Safety Rick Tanksley said via email that he could not make any additional comments concerning the crime at this time, as it is an open investigation by the LAPD.
Contact Renee Ye at rye@oxy.edu.
