Second vehicle theft reported near Pitt campus

The University of Pittsburgh issued a crime alert on Saturday, May 16, after a second vehicle theft was reported near the Oakland campus in four days. Pitt police said they are assisting the City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police in the investigation. The latest theft was reported at about 11 a.m. in the 3500 block of Euler Way, according to the university’s Office of Public Safety and Emergency Management. No injuries were reported, and the investigation remains ongoing. ### Where did the second theft happen, and what was taken? The 3500 block of Euler Way was the location of both reported thefts this week, according to Pitt crime alerts. In the Saturday case, investigators said a juvenile female entered and stole a gray 2011 Hyundai Elantra with Pennsylvania registration NDV-3095 after the vehicle was left running and unlocked while unattended. Police said the car was last seen heading west on Euler Way. (safety.pitt.edu) Tuesday, May 12, was the date of the earlier theft cited by Pitt. In that case, police said three juveniles stole a white 2019 Kia Niro with Pennsylvania registration NCV-4387 after it was also left running in the same block of Euler Way. The vehicle was last seen fleeing westbound, according to the university alert. ### What have police said about the suspects? (safety.pitt.edu) Pitt police said the suspect description in the May 16 theft was a female believed to be 15 to 18 years old. The alert said she was wearing a black head or face covering, a gray GAP hoodie, dark pants and dark-colored Crocs. The May 12 alert described the suspects in the earlier theft as three juveniles wearing all black clothing. (safety.pitt.edu) Pitt police did not say in the public alerts whether the two incidents are believed to be connected. ### Why did Pitt send a campus alert? The University of Pittsburgh said on its local crime page that it issues crime alerts when certain crimes occur on or near campus in accordance with the Clery Act. (safety.pitt.edu) The alerts are intended to notify the campus community, and the university posts them through its safety website. WTAE reported that Pitt police warned students and parents after the second theft near campus. (safety.pitt.edu) The station said police urged people not to leave vehicles unattended while running. ### Which agencies are handling the investigation? University of Pittsburgh police said in both alerts that they are assisting the City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. (safety.pitt.edu) The university asked anyone with information about the May 16 theft to call Pitt police at 412-624-2121 and reference report 26-01703, or Pittsburgh police at 412-422-6520 and reference CCR 26072417. (wtae.com) For the May 12 theft, Pitt directed callers to reference university report 26-01680 or city police CCR 26-070281. The university’s public notices did not identify any arrests in either case. ### Where can students and staff look for updates? Pitt’s safety office said crime alerts and updates are posted at safety.pitt.edu/alerts, and its local crime page links to the university’s crime and fire log for the Pittsburgh campus. (safety.pitt.edu) The university also said people can register to receive crime alerts by text message and use the Rave Guardian safety app to contact police, including through anonymous reporting options. The next public steps are the continuing investigations by Pitt police and Pittsburgh police, with any new alerts expected to appear on the university’s safety website. As of the latest posted notices, both vehicle-theft cases remained open. (safety.pitt.edu)