Campus Alert Archive
Columbia

Timely warning for a motor vehicle theft on West 112th

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NYmotor vehicle thefttimely warninghigh confidence
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Under Investigation

Columbia Public Safety issued Clery Crime Alert W15 for the incident described in the official PDF.

Alerts
1
Response
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Killed
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Injured
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Institution
Columbia University
Private R1 · NY
All Columbia cases →
~33,000 studentsColumbia Public Safety Clery Alert
Official alert policy
Read when and how Columbia says it will use Emergency Notification System: summarized, quoted, and analyzed.
Documented Timeline

Alert Sequence

1 message in sequence · 1 verified verbatim

Confirmed wording is transcribed character-for-character from a primary source. Use Verify this quote under each message to open that source in a new tab and compare the text yourself.

INITIAL ALERTEmail
Verified verbatim2057 chars
Clery Crime Alert Motor Vehicle Theft Columbia University Public Safety was recently informed of a motor vehicle theft. The incident occurred on Monday, June 29, 2026, at approximately 3:02 a.m. in front of 611 West 112th Street. The complainant, a non-affiliate, reported to the NYPD that they parked their vehicle on June 28, 2026, at approximately 8:00 a.m. When they returned on June 29, 2026, at approximately 4:00 p.m., they discovered the vehicle was missing. A report has been filed with the NYPD. If you have any additional information regarding this incident, please contact Investigator Garvey at 212- 854-4790 and reference report number 26-002297. Description of Suspect(s): The suspects were observed on CCTV and are described as male-presenting. Two suspects were wearing dark clothing, and the third was wearing a light-colored sweatshirt with a multicolored design on the front and back. They were seen operating a dark-colored Chevrolet SUV. No further information is available at this time. Harm Reduction Strategies: No one is ever responsible for a crime committed against them. The responsibility lies entirely with the perpetrator. If something happens, we encourage you to report it. Reporting helps protect others and ensures you can access support and services. Report the incident to the Department of Public Safety at Morningside: 212-854-5555 Manhattanville: 212-853-3333 Medical Center: 212-305-7979 Always lock your vehicle, even when parked for a short period Park in well-lit, high-traffic areas whenever possible Consider using anti-theft devices (e.g., steering wheel locks, alarm systems, GPS trackers) Disclaimer: Clery Crime Alerts (Timely Warning Notifications) are distributed pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act. Columbia University is required to alert the campus community when certain crimes occur in our Clery Act defined campuses that represent a serious or continuous threat to the community. For additional information, please visit our Clery Act website or email ps-compliance@columbia.edu
Verify this quote
Columbia Public Safety Clery Crime Alert PDF (W15)publicsafety.columbia.edufind archived copies
PDF dual-download MATCH 2026-09-21. Text-layer ligatures/NBSP/Ō normalized to ASCII, matching W05/W06 capture practice. verbatim sha256 3346cb392d0f1e7e2346ef4f950a57f900a4dadc1ea72eb1689d6e0be79741dc. PDF bytes sha256 3be648a35049d228924744e5fb5ee81c08059420c91636339e56c2b11ea41225.
Distinct incident from 2026-06-25-columbia-university-115th-112th-burglaries: different date and motor vehicle theft vs burglary.
Message elements

How the first alert is built

To check this alert, SuperGrok Heavy 4.5 (an AI) read it in full 25 separate times, independently. Each read decided whether the message answers each of the six questions and gave a short reason. A final reviewer then weighed all 25 and wrote the plain-English verdict you see when you open a row. The score (for example 22/25) is how many reads agreed; the 25 individual reads are tucked underneath if you want to check them.

Clery Crime Alert Motor Vehicle Theft Columbia University Public Safety was recently informed of a motor vehicle theft. The incident occurred on Monday, June 29, 2026, at approximately 3:02 a.m. in front of 611 West 112th Street. The complainant, a non-affiliate, reported to the NYPD that they parked their vehicle on June 28, 2026, at approximately 8:00 a.m. When they returned on June 29, 2026, at approximately 4:00 p.m., they discovered the vehicle was missing. A report has been filed with the NYPD. If you have any additional information regarding this incident, please contact Investigator Garvey at 212- 854-4790 and reference report number 26-002297. Description of Suspect(s): The suspects were observed on CCTV and are described as male-presenting. Two suspects were wearing dark clothing, and the third was wearing a light-colored sweatshirt with a multicolored design on the front and back. They were seen operating a dark-colored Chevrolet SUV. No further information is available at this time. Harm Reduction Strategies: No one is ever responsible for a crime committed against them. The responsibility lies entirely with the perpetrator. If something happens, we encourage you to report it. Reporting helps protect others and ensures you can access support and services. Report the incident to the Department of Public Safety at Morningside: 212-854-5555 Manhattanville: 212-853-3333 Medical Center: 212-305-7979 Always lock your vehicle, even when parked for a short period Park in well-lit, high-traffic areas whenever possible Consider using anti-theft devices (e.g., steering wheel locks, alarm systems, GPS trackers) Disclaimer: Clery Crime Alerts (Timely Warning Notifications) are distributed pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act. Columbia University is required to alert the campus community when certain crimes occur in our Clery Act defined campuses that represent a serious or continuous threat to the community. For additional information, please visit our Clery Act website or email ps-compliance@columbia.edu

  • Sourcepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    All 25 reads find Source present.

    Who is sending the alert and who is responding. People act faster on a message from a clearly identifiable, credible sender, such as a named department, the police, or a branded alert system, than on an anonymous notice. A branded signature counts.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: The sender is identified as Columbia University Public Safety under the Clery Crime Alert header.
    2. present: The message is labeled Clery Crime Alert and names Columbia University Public Safety as the informing authority.
    3. present: Columbia University Public Safety is named as the issuing authority under a Clery Crime Alert header.
    4. present: Branded "Clery Crime Alert" and "Columbia University Public Safety" name the issuing authority.
    5. present: The sender is identified as Columbia University Public Safety under the branded header Clery Crime Alert.
    6. present: The branded "Clery Crime Alert" header and "Columbia University Public Safety" name the issuing authority.
    7. present: The alert is issued by Columbia University Public Safety and labeled Clery Crime Alert, naming the sending authority.
    8. present: Columbia University Public Safety is named as the issuing authority, along with the Clery Crime Alert header.
    9. present: The message identifies Columbia University Public Safety as the issuing office under a Clery Crime Alert heading.
    10. present: The message identifies "Columbia University Public Safety" as the issuing authority and opens with the branded "Clery Crime Alert" label.
    11. present: The message identifies Columbia University Public Safety as the issuing authority on a Clery Crime Alert.
    12. present: Columbia University Public Safety is named as the campus authority, and Columbia University is identified again in the Clery disclaimer.
    13. present: The opening names Columbia University Public Safety as the issuing campus authority.
    14. present: The alert names Columbia University Public Safety as the issuing authority and uses a Clery Crime Alert header.
    15. present: The text names Columbia University Public Safety as the informing office and is labeled a Clery Crime Alert.
    16. present: The alert names Columbia University Public Safety as the issuer of this Clery Crime Alert.
    17. present: Columbia University Public Safety is named as the issuing agency, and the message is labeled Clery Crime Alert.
    18. present: Columbia University Public Safety is named as the issuing authority under the Clery Crime Alert header.
    19. present: The sender is identified as Columbia University Public Safety under a Clery Crime Alert heading.
    20. present: Columbia University Public Safety is named as the informing agency, so the sender is identified.
    21. present: The message is a "Clery Crime Alert" from "Columbia University Public Safety", which names the issuing authority.
    22. present: Columbia University Public Safety is named as the informing authority under the Clery Crime Alert label.
    23. present: The text names Columbia University Public Safety as the issuer and uses the Clery Crime Alert signature.
    24. present: The message identifies Columbia University Public Safety as the issuing office under a Clery Crime Alert label.
    25. present: Columbia University Public Safety is named, and the header Clery Crime Alert brands the sender.
  • Hazardpresent25/25

    Final assessment

    All 25 reads find Hazard present.

    What the threat actually is. A complete warning names the specific danger, such as a shooter, a fire, a tornado, or a gas leak, rather than a vague emergency, because people decide what to do based on what they are facing.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: The alert names motor vehicle theft, a specific crime rather than a generic incident.
    2. present: It specifies Motor Vehicle Theft as the crime, a named threat rather than a generic incident or emergency.
    3. present: The alert names motor vehicle theft as the specific crime.
    4. present: The heading and body name "Motor Vehicle Theft" as the specific threat.
    5. present: The alert names motor vehicle theft as the specific threat, not a vague incident or emergency.
    6. present: The heading and body name "motor vehicle theft", a specific crime rather than a generic incident.
    7. present: The header and body name motor vehicle theft as the specific crime, not a generic incident.
    8. present: The alert names motor vehicle theft, a specific crime threat.
    9. present: It names motor vehicle theft as the specific crime, not a generic incident.
    10. present: It names "Motor Vehicle Theft" as the specific threat rather than a generic incident or emergency.
    11. present: It names motor vehicle theft, a specific crime rather than a generic incident or situation.
    12. present: The heading and body name motor vehicle theft, a specific crime rather than a generic incident.
    13. present: It specifies motor vehicle theft rather than a generic incident or situation.
    14. present: It specifies Motor Vehicle Theft as the threat rather than a generic emergency or incident.
    15. present: It names motor vehicle theft as the specific crime rather than a generic emergency or incident.
    16. present: The heading and lead name a specific threat: motor vehicle theft.
    17. present: The alert names motor vehicle theft as the specific crime and threat.
    18. present: The heading and body name motor vehicle theft as the specific crime.
    19. present: The text names motor vehicle theft as the specific crime and threat.
    20. present: The heading and body specify motor vehicle theft rather than a generic incident.
    21. present: It names "motor vehicle theft" as the specific crime, not a generic incident.
    22. present: The header and body name motor vehicle theft as the specific crime.
    23. present: It names motor vehicle theft as the specific crime rather than a generic incident or situation.
    24. present: It names motor vehicle theft as the specific crime threat, not a generic incident.
    25. present: The alert names motor vehicle theft, a specific crime rather than a generic incident.
  • Locationpresent25/25

    Final assessment

    All 25 reads find Location present.

    Where the threat is. Saying whether danger is in a specific building, a part of campus, or area-wide lets people judge their own proximity and choose a safe direction. Without a where, a warning is hard to act on precisely.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: It places the theft in front of 611 West 112th Street, a street address.
    2. present: It locates the theft in front of 611 West 112th Street, a precise street address.
    3. present: It places the theft in front of 611 West 112th Street, a street address.
    4. present: The theft is placed "in front of 611 West 112th Street", a street address.
    5. present: It places the theft in front of 611 West 112th Street, a specific street address.
    6. present: The theft is placed "in front of 611 West 112th Street", a street address.
    7. present: It places the theft in front of 611 West 112th Street, a specific street address.
    8. present: It places the incident in front of 611 West 112th Street, a specific address.
    9. present: The theft is sited in front of 611 West 112th Street, a concrete address.
    10. present: It locates the theft "in front of 611 West 112th Street", a specific street address.
    11. present: The theft is placed in front of 611 West 112th Street, a street address.
    12. present: The theft is placed in front of 611 West 112th Street, a street address.
    13. present: The theft is placed in front of 611 West 112th Street, a street address.
    14. present: The theft is placed in front of 611 West 112th Street, a street address.
    15. present: The incident is placed in front of 611 West 112th Street, a specific street address.
    16. present: It places the incident in front of 611 West 112th Street, a street address.
    17. present: It places the incident in front of 611 West 112th Street, a street address.
    18. present: The incident is placed in front of 611 West 112th Street, a specific address.
    19. present: It places the incident in front of 611 West 112th Street, a street address.
    20. present: The theft is located in front of 611 West 112th Street, a specific address.
    21. present: The theft is placed "in front of 611 West 112th Street", a street address.
    22. present: The theft is placed in front of 611 West 112th Street, a street address.
    23. present: It places the theft in front of 611 West 112th Street, a named street address.
    24. present: The theft is placed in front of 611 West 112th Street, a street address.
    25. present: It places the theft in front of 611 West 112th Street, a street address.
  • Guidancepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    All 25 reads find Guidance present.

    The protective action to take. A clear, specific instruction, such as shelter in place, evacuate, avoid the area, or run-hide-fight, drives faster and more correct protective behavior than describing the threat alone.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: Harm reduction instructs readers to always lock the vehicle and park in well-lit, high-traffic areas.
    2. present: Harm reduction instructs readers to always lock the vehicle, park in well-lit high-traffic areas, and report to Public Safety.
    3. present: Harm reduction instructs recipients to lock vehicles, park in well-lit areas, and use anti-theft devices.
    4. present: Readers are told to "Always lock your vehicle", park in well-lit areas, and report to Public Safety.
    5. present: Harm reduction instructs recipients to always lock the vehicle, park in well-lit areas, and use anti-theft devices.
    6. present: Harm reduction instructs readers to "Always lock your vehicle" and park in well-lit, high-traffic areas.
    7. present: Harm reduction tells readers to always lock the vehicle, park in well-lit areas, and report to Public Safety.
    8. present: Harm reduction instructions tell recipients to always lock vehicles, park in well-lit areas, and use anti-theft devices.
    9. present: Harm reduction instructs readers to always lock the vehicle and park in well-lit, high-traffic areas.
    10. present: Recipients are told to always lock their vehicles, park in well-lit areas, and consider anti-theft devices.
    11. present: Harm reduction instructs readers to always lock vehicles, park in well-lit areas, and consider anti-theft devices.
    12. present: Harm reduction tells readers to lock vehicles, park in well-lit areas, use anti-theft devices, and report to Public Safety.
    13. present: Harm reduction instructs readers to always lock your vehicle and park in well-lit areas.
    14. present: Harm reduction instructs readers to lock vehicles, park in well-lit areas, use anti-theft devices, and report to Public Safety.
    15. present: Harm reduction instructs readers to lock vehicles, park in well lit high traffic areas, and use antitheft devices.
    16. present: Harm reduction tells readers to lock vehicles, park in well lit areas, and report to Public Safety.
    17. present: Harm reduction tells readers to always lock their vehicle, park in well-lit areas, and report to Public Safety.
    18. present: Harm reduction instructs readers to always lock the vehicle and park in well-lit, high-traffic areas.
    19. present: Harm reduction tells readers to always lock their vehicle, park in well-lit areas, and use anti-theft devices.
    20. present: Harm reduction instructs readers to always lock their vehicle, park in well-lit areas, and report to Public Safety.
    21. present: Harm reduction instructs readers to "Always lock your vehicle" and park in well-lit, high-traffic areas.
    22. present: Harm reduction instructs readers to lock vehicles, park in well-lit areas, use anti-theft devices, and report to Public Safety.
    23. present: Harm reduction tells recipients to lock vehicles, park in well-lit areas, and use anti-theft devices.
    24. present: Harm reduction instructs readers to lock the vehicle, park in well-lit areas, use anti-theft devices, and report to Public Safety.
    25. present: Harm reduction tells readers to lock vehicles, park in well-lit areas, and use anti-theft devices.
  • Timepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    All 25 reads find Time present.

    When the message applies. A timestamp, the word now or immediately, or a phrase like until further notice tells the reader whether the danger is current and how quickly to act.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: The incident is timed to Monday, June 29, 2026, at approximately 3:02 a.m.
    2. present: It timestamps the incident as Monday, June 29, 2026, at approximately 3:02 a.m., with other clock times as well.
    3. present: It reports Monday, June 29, 2026, at approximately 3:02 a.m., a date and clock time.
    4. present: The incident is dated Monday, June 29, 2026, at approximately 3:02 a.m.
    5. present: It gives a date and clock time: Monday, June 29, 2026, at approximately 3:02 a.m.
    6. present: It timestamps the incident on Monday, June 29, 2026, at approximately 3:02 a.m., and says Public Safety was "recently" informed.
    7. present: It gives the incident as Monday, June 29, 2026, at approximately 3:02 a.m., plus other clock times.
    8. present: It gives the date Monday, June 29, 2026 and the time approximately 3:02 a.m.
    9. present: The incident is timed to Monday, June 29, 2026, at approximately 3:02 a.m.
    10. present: It reports the incident on Monday, June 29, 2026, at approximately 3:02 a.m., a date and clock time.
    11. present: It reports the incident on Monday, June 29, 2026, at approximately 3:02 a.m., with other dates and times.
    12. present: The incident is timed Monday, June 29, 2026, at approximately 3:02 a.m., with other dated clock times as well.
    13. present: It timestamps the incident on Monday, June 29, 2026, at approximately 3:02 a.m.
    14. present: The incident is timed as Monday, June 29, 2026, at approximately 3:02 a.m.
    15. present: It timestamps the theft on Monday, June 29, 2026, at approximately 3:02 a.m.
    16. present: The theft is timed on Monday, June 29, 2026, at approximately 3:02 a.m.
    17. present: It gives the incident date and clock time as Monday, June 29, 2026, at approximately 3:02 a.m.
    18. present: It reports Monday, June 29, 2026, at approximately 3:02 a.m., plus other dated clock times.
    19. present: It timestamps the theft at approximately 3:02 a.m. on Monday, June 29, 2026.
    20. present: The incident is timed to Monday, June 29, 2026, at approximately 3:02 a.m.
    21. present: It timestamps the theft to "Monday, June 29, 2026, at approximately 3:02 a.m." and says Public Safety was "recently informed".
    22. present: The incident is timed as Monday, June 29, 2026, at approximately 3:02 a.m.
    23. present: It times the incident to Monday, June 29, 2026 at approximately 3:02 a.m., with other clock times as well.
    24. present: It gives a date and clock time: Monday, June 29, 2026, at approximately 3:02 a.m.
    25. present: The theft is timed to Monday, June 29, 2026, at approximately 3:02 a.m., plus other clock times.
  • Impactabsent0/25

    Final assessment

    All 25 reads find Impact absent.

    What the hazard could do to the people in its path. Beyond naming the threat, a complete warning conveys its potential consequences or severity, such as that a tornado can level buildings or that a leak could be explosive, so recipients grasp how much danger they are in. Research on warning message content finds that a concrete impact statement helps people personalize their risk and act sooner.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. absent: A missing vehicle restates the theft itself and does not describe danger, injury, or other consequences.
    2. absent: Naming the theft does not state a consequence or severity such as danger, injury, or how serious the harm is.
    3. absent: No consequence or severity is stated beyond the theft itself and generic Clery boilerplate.
    4. absent: Missing vehicle restates the theft, with no stated injury, danger, or other consequence.
    5. absent: The stolen or missing vehicle restates the theft itself and never states added harm, danger, or severity.
    6. absent: Naming a theft does not state consequences or severity such as injury, danger, or damage beyond the crime itself.
    7. absent: The text does not state what the theft could do or how serious it is for people or property beyond naming the crime.
    8. absent: Nothing states what the theft could do to people or property beyond naming the crime itself.
    9. absent: Nothing states injury, danger, or severity beyond the vehicle being missing.
    10. absent: The text does not state injury, danger, or other consequences beyond naming the vehicle theft itself.
    11. absent: Beyond naming the theft, it does not state a consequence or severity such as danger, injury, or damage.
    12. absent: Nothing states severity or consequences such as danger or injury, only that the parked vehicle was later missing.
    13. absent: A missing vehicle restates the theft and adds no severity, injury, or danger language.
    14. absent: No consequence or severity is stated beyond the vehicle being missing, which is the crime itself.
    15. absent: No consequence or severity is stated, such as danger or injury, only that a vehicle was missing.
    16. absent: A missing vehicle only restates the theft, with no extra severity or harm wording.
    17. absent: The text does not state consequences or severity such as injury, danger, or damage beyond naming the theft.
    18. absent: No injury, danger, or other consequence is stated beyond the fact of the theft.
    19. absent: The stolen vehicle is the crime itself, with no stated injury, danger, or other consequence or severity.
    20. absent: The text never states injury, danger, or other consequences beyond naming the theft and a missing vehicle.
    21. absent: Vehicle theft is named, but the text never states injury, danger, or other consequences beyond the crime itself.
    22. absent: A missing vehicle restates the theft itself and no danger, injury, or other severity is stated for the audience.
    23. absent: It does not state injury, danger, or other harm beyond naming the theft itself.
    24. absent: The text names the theft but does not state a consequence or severity such as danger or injury.
    25. absent: A missing vehicle restates the theft itself, with no injury, danger, or other stated severity.

Coded by SuperGrok Heavy 4.5

Systematic AI judgments with visible reasoning, not human-validated codings.

About this analysis
Context

Background

Columbia Public Safety posts Clery Crime Alerts as PDFs. Official product: the W15 warning.
Analysis

Key Findings

Official PDF times the theft at about 3:02 a.m. in front of 611 West 112th Street.
Outcome
NYPD report filed by a non-affiliate complainant. Public Safety seeking tips.
Provenance

Sources

Every claim on this page is meant to be checkable. Open the links below (and the Verify this quote control under each confirmed alert) to read the original university, news, or archive page yourself. Hostnames are shown so you can see where you are going; archived copies survive when live pages move or disappear. See also our methodology.

  1. Official
    Columbia Public Safety Clery Crime Alert PDF (W15)
    publicsafety.columbia.edu
    archived copy
Cite this case

Campus Alert Archive. "Columbia University: Timely warning for a motor vehicle theft on West 112th." Incident of June 29, 2026. Added September 2026. https://campusalertarchive.com/case/columbia-university-611-west-112th-motor-vehicle-theft-2026-06-29/

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Alert text quoted on this page remains the work of the issuing institution; the archive is a secondary source.

Tags
private-r1new-yorkcolumbiaivyclerymotor-vehicle-theftUnder Investigation
Added September 2026Updated September 2026Via ingestion