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Burglary - alpha delta phi burglary

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MIT Police issued a timely warning for a burglary at Alpha Delta Phi, published in the MIT timely-warnings archive.

Alerts
1
Response
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Killed
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Injured
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Institution
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Private R1 · MA
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~12,000 studentsMIT Police Timely Warnings
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Read when and how MIT says it will use MIT Alert: 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 verbatim2114 chars
On May 15, 2024, at 12:20 p.m., the MIT Police responded to Alpha Delta Phi, an MIT fraternity located at 351 Massachusetts Ave. in Cambridge on a report of a burglary. The reporting party stated that at 03:51a.m., a male suspect forcibly broke through the front door and entered the residence. The suspect then stole a backpack containing a play station console, game cartridges, attachments and a guitar in a soft case. According to video surveillance provided by the fraternity, the suspect appears to be a male, unknown race, medium build, wearing a white cowboy hat, light blue short-sleeve t-shirt and dark blue pants. While victims of crimes are never to blame for criminal activity, there are some precautions that can be taken. In order to protect yourself and your belongings from theft and/or facilitate the recovery of your stolen property, MIT Police encourage you to follow these tips: ·           Immediately notify the MIT Police at 617-253-1212 or 100 from any campus phone if you believe a crime is occurring, has occurred, or is about to occur. ·         Always lock your residential doors and windows. Assure that the locks are in good working order. Close and lock first floor windows at night or when not at home. If windows have a box air conditioner, consider using a brace to prevent intruders from using those windows a way to gain entry. ·         Lock your residential door if you are leaving (even if only for a minute or two). ·         When entering or exiting a residence or, make sure the door closes tightly behind you. ·         Report suspicious people or activity. Report all tailgaters. The MIT Police want to remind the MIT community that we are located in an urban setting and share many of the crime and safety issues that exist in any city. The MIT Police are investigating this crime and request the assistance from the MIT community.  If you wish to leave an anonymous tip please call 617-258-TIPS (8-8477). Issued by MIT Police Crime Prevention/Community Policing Unit MIT Police 565-570 Memorial Drive Cambridge, Ma. 02139 617-253-1212
Verify this quote
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Message elements

How the first alert is built

To check this alert, Claude Opus 5.5 (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.

On May 15, 2024, at 12:20 p.m., the MIT Police responded to Alpha Delta Phi, an MIT fraternity located at 351 Massachusetts Ave. in Cambridge on a report of a burglary. The reporting party stated that at 03:51a.m., a male suspect forcibly broke through the front door and entered the residence. The suspect then stole a backpack containing a play station console, game cartridges, attachments and a guitar in a soft case. According to video surveillance provided by the fraternity, the suspect appears to be a male, unknown race, medium build, wearing a white cowboy hat, light blue short-sleeve t-shirt and dark blue pants. While victims of crimes are never to blame for criminal activity, there are some precautions that can be taken. In order to protect yourself and your belongings from theft and/or facilitate the recovery of your stolen property, MIT Police encourage you to follow these tips: ·           Immediately notify the MIT Police at 617-253-1212 or 100 from any campus phone if you believe a crime is occurring, has occurred, or is about to occur. ·         Always lock your residential doors and windows. Assure that the locks are in good working order. Close and lock first floor windows at night or when not at home. If windows have a box air conditioner, consider using a brace to prevent intruders from using those windows a way to gain entry. ·         Lock your residential door if you are leaving (even if only for a minute or two). ·         When entering or exiting a residence or, make sure the door closes tightly behind you. ·         Report suspicious people or activity. Report all tailgaters. The MIT Police want to remind the MIT community that we are located in an urban setting and share many of the crime and safety issues that exist in any city. The MIT Police are investigating this crime and request the assistance from the MIT community.  If you wish to leave an anonymous tip please call 617-258-TIPS (8-8477). Issued by MIT Police Crime Prevention/Community Policing Unit MIT Police 565-570 Memorial Drive Cambridge, Ma. 02139 617-253-1212

  • Sourcepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Present, unanimously: the notice comes from the MIT Police, who responded and issue the prevention tips.

    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: It is issued by the 'MIT Police Crime Prevention/Community Policing Unit'.
    2. present: It is "Issued by MIT Police Crime Prevention/Community Policing Unit", identifying the sender.
    3. present: It is 'Issued by MIT Police Crime Prevention/Community Policing Unit'.
    4. present: It is 'Issued by MIT Police Crime Prevention/Community Policing Unit', identifying the sender.
    5. present: It names 'the MIT Police' and is 'Issued by MIT Police Crime Prevention/Community Policing Unit'.
    6. present: It is 'Issued by MIT Police Crime Prevention/Community Policing Unit', identifying the sender.
    7. present: It is 'Issued by MIT Police Crime Prevention/Community Policing Unit', which identifies the sender.
    8. present: The alert is "Issued by MIT Police Crime Prevention/Community Policing Unit" and names MIT Police throughout.
    9. present: It is 'Issued by MIT Police Crime Prevention/Community Policing Unit', identifying the sender.
    10. present: It is 'Issued by MIT Police Crime Prevention/Community Policing Unit', naming the source.
    11. present: It is 'Issued by MIT Police Crime Prevention/Community Policing Unit', naming the sending agency.
    12. present: It is 'Issued by MIT Police Crime Prevention/Community Policing Unit', naming the sending agency.
    13. present: It is 'Issued by MIT Police Crime Prevention/Community Policing Unit', naming the sender.
    14. present: It is 'Issued by MIT Police Crime Prevention/Community Policing Unit'.
    15. present: It names "the MIT Police" and is "Issued by MIT Police Crime Prevention/Community Policing Unit".
    16. present: It is 'Issued by MIT Police Crime Prevention/Community Policing Unit', naming the sender.
    17. present: It is 'Issued by MIT Police Crime Prevention/Community Policing Unit'.
    18. present: It says "the MIT Police responded" and is "Issued by MIT Police Crime Prevention/Community Policing Unit".
    19. present: It is 'Issued by MIT Police Crime Prevention/Community Policing Unit', clearly naming the sender.
    20. present: It says 'the MIT Police responded' and is 'Issued by MIT Police Crime Prevention/Community Policing Unit'.
    21. present: It is 'Issued by MIT Police Crime Prevention/Community Policing Unit', identifying the sender.
    22. present: It is 'Issued by MIT Police Crime Prevention/Community Policing Unit', identifying the sender.
    23. present: It is 'Issued by MIT Police Crime Prevention/Community Policing Unit', naming the sending agency.
    24. present: The bulletin is "Issued by MIT Police Crime Prevention/Community Policing Unit," which names the sending agency directly.
    25. present: It says 'the MIT Police responded' and is 'Issued by MIT Police Crime Prevention/Community Policing Unit'.
  • Hazardpresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Present, unanimously: it reports "a burglary" in which a suspect "forcibly broke through the front door".

    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: It reports 'a burglary' in which a suspect 'forcibly broke through the front door'.
    2. present: It names "a burglary" in which a suspect "forcibly broke through the front door", a specific crime.
    3. present: It names 'a burglary' in which a suspect forcibly broke through the front door.
    4. present: It reports 'a burglary' in which a suspect 'forcibly broke through the front door', a specific crime.
    5. present: It reports 'a burglary' in which a suspect 'forcibly broke through the front door' and stole items.
    6. present: It reports 'a burglary' where a suspect 'forcibly broke through the front door'.
    7. present: It reports 'a burglary' in which a suspect 'forcibly broke through the front door', a specific crime.
    8. present: It reports "a burglary" in which a suspect "forcibly broke through the front door" of a fraternity.
    9. present: It reports 'a burglary' where a suspect 'forcibly broke through the front door', a specific crime.
    10. present: It reports 'a burglary' in which a suspect 'forcibly broke through the front door', a specific crime.
    11. present: It reports 'a burglary' where 'a male suspect forcibly broke through the front door', a specific crime.
    12. present: It reports 'a burglary' where 'a male suspect forcibly broke through the front door'.
    13. present: It reports 'a burglary' where the suspect 'forcibly broke through the front door', a specific crime.
    14. present: It names 'a burglary' in which a suspect 'forcibly broke through the front door'.
    15. present: It reports "a burglary" in which a suspect forcibly broke through the front door.
    16. present: It reports 'a burglary' in which a suspect 'forcibly broke through the front door'.
    17. present: It reports 'a burglary' in which a suspect 'forcibly broke through the front door', a specific crime.
    18. present: It reports "a burglary" in which a suspect "forcibly broke through the front door", a specific crime.
    19. present: It reports 'a burglary' in which a suspect 'forcibly broke through the front door', a specific crime.
    20. present: It reports 'a burglary' in which a suspect 'forcibly broke through the front door', a specific crime.
    21. present: It reports 'a burglary' where a suspect 'forcibly broke through the front door', a specific crime.
    22. present: It reports 'a burglary' in which a suspect 'forcibly broke through the front door', a specific crime.
    23. present: It reports 'a burglary' in which a suspect 'forcibly broke through the front door', a specific crime.
    24. present: It reports "a burglary" in which a suspect "forcibly broke through the front door."
    25. present: It reports 'a burglary' in which a suspect 'forcibly broke through the front door', a specific crime.
  • Locationpresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Present, unanimously: it names "Alpha Delta Phi, an MIT fraternity located at 351 Massachusetts Ave.".

    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 names 'Alpha Delta Phi, an MIT fraternity located at 351 Massachusetts Ave.'.
    2. present: It names "Alpha Delta Phi, an MIT fraternity located at 351 Massachusetts Ave. in Cambridge".
    3. present: It locates the burglary at 'Alpha Delta Phi' at '351 Massachusetts Ave.'.
    4. present: It names 'Alpha Delta Phi, an MIT fraternity located at 351 Massachusetts Ave.'
    5. present: It locates the burglary at 'Alpha Delta Phi' at '351 Massachusetts Ave. in Cambridge'.
    6. present: It gives 'Alpha Delta Phi, an MIT fraternity located at 351 Massachusetts Ave.'.
    7. present: It names 'Alpha Delta Phi, an MIT fraternity located at 351 Massachusetts Ave. in Cambridge'.
    8. present: The burglary occurred at "Alpha Delta Phi, an MIT fraternity located at 351 Massachusetts Ave."
    9. present: It names 'Alpha Delta Phi, an MIT fraternity located at 351 Massachusetts Ave. in Cambridge'.
    10. present: It names 'Alpha Delta Phi, an MIT fraternity located at 351 Massachusetts Ave.'.
    11. present: The burglary occurred at 'Alpha Delta Phi, an MIT fraternity located at 351 Massachusetts Ave.'.
    12. present: It names 'Alpha Delta Phi, an MIT fraternity located at 351 Massachusetts Ave. in Cambridge'.
    13. present: It names 'Alpha Delta Phi, an MIT fraternity located at 351 Massachusetts Ave.'
    14. present: It gives 'Alpha Delta Phi' at '351 Massachusetts Ave.' as the location.
    15. present: It gives "Alpha Delta Phi ... 351 Massachusetts Ave. in Cambridge".
    16. present: It places the burglary at 'Alpha Delta Phi, an MIT fraternity located at 351 Massachusetts Ave.'
    17. present: It locates the burglary at 'Alpha Delta Phi' at '351 Massachusetts Ave. in Cambridge'.
    18. present: It places it at "Alpha Delta Phi, an MIT fraternity located at 351 Massachusetts Ave."
    19. present: It gives 'Alpha Delta Phi, an MIT fraternity located at 351 Massachusetts Ave. in Cambridge'.
    20. present: It names 'Alpha Delta Phi, an MIT fraternity located at 351 Massachusetts Ave.' as the location.
    21. present: It names the 'Alpha Delta Phi' fraternity at '351 Massachusetts Ave. in Cambridge', which is a precise address.
    22. present: It names 'Alpha Delta Phi, an MIT fraternity located at 351 Massachusetts Ave. in Cambridge'.
    23. present: It places the burglary at 'Alpha Delta Phi' at '351 Massachusetts Ave. in Cambridge'.
    24. present: It names the fraternity "Alpha Delta Phi" located at "351 Massachusetts Ave. in Cambridge" as the burglary site.
    25. present: It names 'Alpha Delta Phi, an MIT fraternity located at 351 Massachusetts Ave.' in Cambridge.
  • Guidancepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Present, unanimously: its tips instruct readers to "Always lock your residential doors and windows" and to notify MIT Police of crimes.

    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: Tips instruct readers to 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and report suspicious people.
    2. present: It tells readers to "Always lock your residential doors and windows" and to notify MIT Police, protective actions.
    3. present: It advises readers to 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and report suspicious people.
    4. present: It advises readers to 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and to report tailgaters.
    5. present: It tells readers to 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and to notify MIT Police.
    6. present: It urges readers to 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and report suspicious people.
    7. present: It tells readers to 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and to notify MIT Police of crimes.
    8. present: MIT Police urge readers to "Always lock your residential doors and windows" and to report tailgaters.
    9. present: It urges readers to 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and report suspicious people.
    10. present: It urges readers to 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and to report suspicious people.
    11. present: It advises readers to 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and to report suspicious people.
    12. present: It advises readers to 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and to 'Report all tailgaters'.
    13. present: It advises readers to 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and report tailgaters, protective actions.
    14. present: It tells readers to 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and notify MIT Police.
    15. present: It advises "Always lock your residential doors and windows" and to report suspicious people.
    16. present: It urges readers to 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and to report suspicious people.
    17. present: It urges readers to 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and report suspicious people.
    18. present: It advises readers to "Always lock your residential doors and windows" and report tailgaters, which are protective actions.
    19. present: It advises 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and to report suspicious people, which are protective actions.
    20. present: It advises readers to 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and to report suspicious people, protective actions.
    21. present: It tells readers to 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and report suspicious people, which are protective steps.
    22. present: It tells readers to 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and to report tailgaters.
    23. present: It urges readers to 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and to notify MIT Police.
    24. present: It tells readers to "Always lock your residential doors and windows" and report suspicious people.
    25. present: It tells readers to 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and to notify MIT Police of crimes, protective actions.
  • Timepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Present, unanimously: it gives "May 15, 2024, at 12:20 p.m." and a 03:51 a.m. entry time.

    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: It gives 'May 15, 2024, at 12:20 p.m.' and a 03:51 a.m. entry time.
    2. present: It gives "May 15, 2024, at 12:20 p.m." for the response and 03:51 a.m. for the break in.
    3. present: It gives 'May 15, 2024, at 12:20 p.m.' and the entry time '03:51a.m.'.
    4. present: It gives 'May 15, 2024, at 12:20 p.m.' and a break-in time of '03:51a.m.'
    5. present: It gives 'May 15, 2024, at 12:20 p.m.' for the response and '03:51a.m.' for the entry.
    6. present: It dates the report 'May 15, 2024, at 12:20 p.m.' and the break-in at '03:51a.m.'.
    7. present: It states 'On May 15, 2024, at 12:20 p.m.' and a break-in time of '03:51a.m.'
    8. present: It gives "May 15, 2024, at 12:20 p.m." for the response and 03:51 a.m. for the break-in.
    9. present: It gives 'May 15, 2024, at 12:20 p.m.' and the 03:51 a.m. entry time.
    10. present: It gives 'May 15, 2024, at 12:20 p.m.' and a break-in time of '03:51a.m.'.
    11. present: It gives 'May 15, 2024, at 12:20 p.m.' and says the break-in happened 'at 03:51a.m.'.
    12. present: It gives 'May 15, 2024, at 12:20 p.m.' and a break-in time of '03:51a.m.'.
    13. present: It gives 'May 15, 2024, at 12:20 p.m.' and the entry time of 03:51 a.m.
    14. present: It dates the response 'May 15, 2024, at 12:20 p.m.' and the break-in at 03:51 a.m.
    15. present: It gives "May 15, 2024, at 12:20 p.m." and "03:51a.m."
    16. present: It gives 'May 15, 2024, at 12:20 p.m.' and an entry time of '03:51a.m.'
    17. present: It dates the response 'May 15, 2024, at 12:20 p.m.' with entry 'at 03:51a.m.'
    18. present: It gives "May 15, 2024, at 12:20 p.m." and a "03:51a.m." break-in time.
    19. present: It states 'On May 15, 2024, at 12:20 p.m.' and the break-in 'at 03:51a.m.'.
    20. present: It gives 'May 15, 2024, at 12:20 p.m.' for the response and '03:51a.m.' for the break-in.
    21. present: It gives 'May 15, 2024, at 12:20 p.m.' and a break-in time of '03:51a.m.'.
    22. present: It gives 'May 15, 2024, at 12:20 p.m.' and the break-in time of 03:51 a.m.
    23. present: It gives 'May 15, 2024, at 12:20 p.m.' and a break-in time of '03:51a.m.'
    24. present: It gives "May 15, 2024, at 12:20 p.m." and the 03:51 a.m. entry time.
    25. present: It gives 'May 15, 2024, at 12:20 p.m.' for the response and '03:51a.m.' for the break-in.
  • Impactabsent0/25

    Final assessment

    Absent, unanimously: it lists stolen property but conveys no danger or severity beyond the theft itself.

    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: It lists stolen property but conveys no danger or severity beyond the theft itself.
    2. absent: It lists stolen items but conveys no consequence or severity beyond the property loss itself.
    3. absent: It lists stolen items but conveys no potential harm or severity beyond the theft itself.
    4. absent: It lists stolen items but does not state any danger or severity the burglary poses to readers.
    5. absent: It describes stolen property but conveys no consequence or severity such as danger or potential injury.
    6. absent: It lists items stolen but conveys no consequence or severity beyond the theft itself.
    7. absent: It lists stolen items but does not state what harm or severity the burglary poses to people.
    8. absent: It describes stolen electronics and a guitar but conveys no severity or potential harm to people.
    9. absent: It describes stolen property only and states no consequence or severity beyond the theft itself.
    10. absent: It lists the stolen items but gives no statement of danger or severity for residents.
    11. absent: It lists stolen items only and never states any injury risk or severity beyond the property loss.
    12. absent: It lists stolen items like a play station console but states no consequence or severity for community members.
    13. absent: It lists the stolen items but states no potential injury or broader consequence from the burglary.
    14. absent: It describes stolen property only and states no harm or severity to people.
    15. absent: It lists stolen items but states no danger or harm to people beyond the theft itself.
    16. absent: The text lists stolen items and tips but never states a consequence or severity beyond property loss.
    17. absent: It lists stolen items but conveys no danger to people or severity beyond the theft itself.
    18. absent: It lists stolen items but says nothing about danger to people or potential consequences beyond the theft.
    19. absent: It lists stolen items but never states harm or danger the burglar poses to people.
    20. absent: It describes stolen property but never states any potential harm or severity to people.
    21. absent: It lists stolen items but conveys no danger or potential harm to people, so impact is absent.
    22. absent: It lists stolen items but conveys no danger, injury risk, or severity.
    23. absent: Only stolen items are listed; no statement of potential harm or severity to people appears.
    24. absent: It lists stolen items but conveys no potential harm or severity beyond the theft itself.
    25. absent: It describes stolen items only and conveys no harm or severity to people beyond property loss.

Coded by Claude Opus 5.5

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

About this analysis
Context

Background

MIT Police publishes Clery timely warnings on police.mit.edu. This notice for Alpha Delta Phi is recovered from the official crime-alert page.
Analysis

Key Findings

Official MITPD timely-warning narrative
Outcome
MIT Police investigation; prevention tips included in the notice.
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
    MIT Police timely warning
    police.mit.edu
    archived copy
Cite this case

Campus Alert Archive. "Massachusetts Institute of Technology: Burglary - alpha delta phi burglary." Incident of May 15, 2024. Added July 2026; last updated September 2026. https://campusalertarchive.com/case/mit-alpha-delta-phi-burglary-2024-05-15/

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

Tags
burglarytimely-warningmit2024Under Investigation
Added July 2026Updated September 2026Via ingestion