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MIT

Burglary at New House —

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MIT Police issued a crime alert / timely warning on or about 2018-10-02. Full text is preserved from the official MIT Police Crime Alerts archive.

Alerts
1
Response
—
Killed
0
Injured
0
Institution
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Private R1 · MA
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~12,000 studentsMIT Police Timely Warnings
Official alert policy
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 verbatim1835 chars
A dorm room on an upper floor of New House, Building W70, which is located at 471-476 Memorial Drive, was burglarized on October 2, 2018 between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM. There is no suspect description at this time. A resident of New House reported that their laptop, tablet, and backpack were stolen from their dorm room. The room was left unsecured and the victim was not present at the time of the theft. Suggestions 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: - See Something - Say Something: 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 doors and windows. - Assure that door and window locks are in good working order. - Report all tailgaters, report suspicious people/activity. - Don't prop doors open. - Document serial numbers of your electronics and take pictures of your valuables. Keep this in a safe place to provide to the police in the event you are burglarized. - Register your laptop computer. Laptop tagging is now free for the MIT community, and is offered at the IS&T Service Desk in the Atlas Center at E17-106. 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 Captain Andrew J. Turco MIT Police Department 301 Vassar Street (W89) 617-253-1212
Verify this quote
MIT Police Crime Alerts & Timely Warningspolice.mit.edufind archived copies
Transcribed from official police.mit.edu crime-alert page structured fields (Incident, Suspect, Summary, Suggestions, Issued by).
Page recovered live from MIT Police Crime Alerts archive.
Message elements

How the first alert is built

To check this alert, Claude Opus 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.

A dorm room on an upper floor of New House, Building W70, which is located at 471-476 Memorial Drive, was burglarized on October 2, 2018 between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM. There is no suspect description at this time. A resident of New House reported that their laptop, tablet, and backpack were stolen from their dorm room. The room was left unsecured and the victim was not present at the time of the theft. Suggestions 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: - See Something - Say Something: 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 doors and windows. - Assure that door and window locks are in good working order. - Report all tailgaters, report suspicious people/activity. - Don't prop doors open. - Document serial numbers of your electronics and take pictures of your valuables. Keep this in a safe place to provide to the police in the event you are burglarized. - Register your laptop computer. Laptop tagging is now free for the MIT community, and is offered at the IS&T Service Desk in the Atlas Center at E17-106. 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 Captain Andrew J. Turco MIT Police Department 301 Vassar Street (W89) 617-253-1212

  • Sourcepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Present, 25 of 25. The notice is signed "Issued by Captain Andrew J. Turco, MIT Police Department" and speaks throughout as "MIT Police," so the sending authority is unmistakable.

    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 notice closes "Issued by Captain Andrew J. Turco, MIT Police Department", naming the issuing agency plainly.
    2. present: Closes with "Issued by Captain Andrew J. Turco, MIT Police Department", naming the issuing authority clearly.
    3. present: Closes with "Issued by Captain Andrew J. Turco, MIT Police Department", naming the issuing authority plainly.
    4. present: The closing "Issued by Captain Andrew J. Turco, MIT Police Department" names the issuing agency plainly.
    5. present: The closing block "Issued by Captain Andrew J. Turco, MIT Police Department" plainly names the issuing agency.
    6. present: The closing block "Issued by Captain Andrew J. Turco, MIT Police Department" plus repeated "MIT Police" names the issuing authority.
    7. present: Signed "Issued by Captain Andrew J. Turco, MIT Police Department", naming the issuing police agency clearly.
    8. present: Closes with "Issued by Captain Andrew J. Turco, MIT Police Department", naming the issuing agency clearly.
    9. present: The notice closes with "Issued by Captain Andrew J. Turco, MIT Police Department" and repeatedly names MIT Police as the issuing authority.
    10. present: The closing block "Issued by Captain Andrew J. Turco, MIT Police Department" plainly identifies the issuing agency.
    11. present: Signed "Issued by Captain Andrew J. Turco, MIT Police Department", a clearly named issuing agency.
    12. present: The notice closes "Issued by Captain Andrew J. Turco, MIT Police Department", naming the issuing authority plainly.
    13. present: Signed "Issued by Captain Andrew J. Turco, MIT Police Department", naming the issuing police agency clearly.
    14. present: Signed "Issued by Captain Andrew J. Turco, MIT Police Department", naming the issuing police authority.
    15. present: Closes with "Issued by Captain Andrew J. Turco, MIT Police Department", naming the issuing authority plainly.
    16. present: It closes with "Issued by Captain Andrew J. Turco, MIT Police Department", naming the issuing authority plainly.
    17. present: Signed "Issued by Captain Andrew J. Turco, MIT Police Department", and the body repeatedly credits "MIT Police" as sender.
    18. present: Closing block reads "Issued by Captain Andrew J. Turco, MIT Police Department", naming the issuing authority plainly.
    19. present: The notice closes "Issued by Captain Andrew J. Turco, MIT Police Department", naming the issuing authority plainly.
    20. present: Signed "MIT Police Department" and issued by Captain Andrew J. Turco, so the sending authority is plainly named.
    21. present: The notice is signed "Issued by Captain Andrew J. Turco, MIT Police Department", naming the issuing authority plainly.
    22. present: It closes "Issued by Captain Andrew J. Turco, MIT Police Department", naming the issuing authority plainly.
    23. present: Closes with "Issued by Captain Andrew J. Turco, MIT Police Department", a named issuing authority.
    24. present: Signed "Issued by Captain Andrew J. Turco, MIT Police Department", a clearly named issuing agency.
    25. present: Signed "MIT Police Department" and issued by a named captain, so the sending authority is explicit.
  • Hazardpresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Present, 25 of 25. The opening line states a dorm room "was burglarized" and the body specifies a stolen "laptop, tablet, and backpack," naming the threat squarely.

    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 dorm room "was burglarized", a specific property crime rather than a vague incident.
    2. present: States a dorm room "was burglarized" and a laptop, tablet and backpack stolen, a specific crime hazard.
    3. present: States a dorm room "was burglarized" and that a laptop, tablet and backpack were stolen, a specific crime threat.
    4. present: It reports a dorm room "was burglarized" and a laptop, tablet and backpack stolen, a specific crime hazard.
    5. present: It states a dorm room "was burglarized" and that a laptop, tablet and backpack were stolen, a specific crime hazard.
    6. present: It reports a dorm room "was burglarized" with a laptop, tablet and backpack stolen, a specific crime hazard.
    7. present: It names a burglary: a dorm room "was burglarized" with a laptop, tablet and backpack stolen.
    8. present: Names a specific crime, a dorm room "was burglarized" with a laptop, tablet and backpack stolen.
    9. present: It states a dorm room "was burglarized" and a laptop, tablet and backpack were stolen, a specific criminal threat.
    10. present: It reports that a dorm room "was burglarized", naming burglary as the specific crime threat.
    11. present: It reports a dorm room "was burglarized" with a laptop, tablet and backpack stolen, a specific crime hazard.
    12. present: It reports a dorm room was "burglarized", a specific property crime rather than a vague incident.
    13. present: It names a specific crime: a dorm room "was burglarized" with a laptop, tablet and backpack stolen.
    14. present: It names a burglary: a dorm room "was burglarized" and a laptop, tablet and backpack were stolen.
    15. present: States a dorm room "was burglarized" and a laptop, tablet and backpack were stolen, a specific crime hazard.
    16. present: The text names a specific crime, a dorm room "was burglarized", with a laptop, tablet and backpack stolen.
    17. present: It reports a dorm room "was burglarized" with a laptop, tablet and backpack stolen, a specific crime.
    18. present: It states a dorm room "was burglarized" and a laptop, tablet and backpack were stolen, a specific crime threat.
    19. present: It reports a dorm room "was burglarized", a specific property crime rather than a vague incident.
    20. present: The text says a dorm room "was burglarized" and a laptop, tablet and backpack were stolen, a specific crime.
    21. present: It reports a dorm room was "burglarized" with a laptop, tablet and backpack stolen, a specific criminal threat.
    22. present: It reports a dorm room "was burglarized", a specific property crime rather than a vague incident.
    23. present: States a dorm room "was burglarized" and a laptop, tablet and backpack were stolen, a specific crime.
    24. present: It reports a dorm room "was burglarized" with a laptop, tablet and backpack stolen, a specific crime.
    25. present: It names a burglary: a dorm room "was burglarized" and a laptop, tablet and backpack were stolen.
  • Locationpresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Present, 25 of 25. The alert pins the scene to "New House, Building W70, which is located at 471-476 Memorial Drive," including the upper floor, leaving no ambiguity.

    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 crime at "New House, Building W70, which is located at 471-476 Memorial Drive".
    2. present: Places it at "New House, Building W70, which is located at 471-476 Memorial Drive".
    3. present: Pinpoints "New House, Building W70, which is located at 471-476 Memorial Drive".
    4. present: It places the burglary in "New House, Building W70," at "471-476 Memorial Drive," a precise address.
    5. present: It places the burglary at "New House, Building W70," at "471-476 Memorial Drive," a precise address.
    6. present: It places the crime at "New House, Building W70, which is located at 471-476 Memorial Drive".
    7. present: Gives "New House, Building W70, which is located at 471-476 Memorial Drive", an exact address.
    8. present: Places it at "New House, Building W70, which is located at 471-476 Memorial Drive".
    9. present: The place is given precisely: "New House, Building W70, which is located at 471-476 Memorial Drive".
    10. present: It places the crime at "New House, Building W70", at "471-476 Memorial Drive".
    11. present: It names "New House, Building W70, which is located at 471-476 Memorial Drive".
    12. present: It places the crime at "New House, Building W70", at "471-476 Memorial Drive".
    13. present: It places the burglary at "New House, Building W70, which is located at 471-476 Memorial Drive".
    14. present: It gives "New House, Building W70, which is located at 471-476 Memorial Drive", a precise place.
    15. present: Places it at "New House, Building W70, which is located at 471-476 Memorial Drive".
    16. present: It places the crime at "New House, Building W70", located at "471-476 Memorial Drive".
    17. present: It places the burglary at "New House, Building W70", "471-476 Memorial Drive", an exact address.
    18. present: It gives "New House, Building W70, which is located at 471-476 Memorial Drive", an exact address.
    19. present: It places the crime at "New House, Building W70, which is located at 471-476 Memorial Drive".
    20. present: It places the crime at "New House, Building W70," at "471-476 Memorial Drive," an exact address.
    21. present: It places the crime at "New House, Building W70, which is located at 471-476 Memorial Drive".
    22. present: It places the crime at "New House, Building W70", at "471-476 Memorial Drive".
    23. present: Places it at "New House, Building W70, which is located at 471-476 Memorial Drive".
    24. present: It places the crime at "New House, Building W70", at "471-476 Memorial Drive".
    25. present: Place is pinpointed as "New House, Building W70," at "471-476 Memorial Drive."
  • Guidancepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Present, 25 of 25. A tips block instructs readers to "Always lock your doors and windows," "Don't prop doors open," and to call 617-253-1212, all actionable protective steps.

    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: Readers are told to "Always lock your doors and windows" and to call MIT Police about suspicious activity.
    2. present: Directs readers to "Always lock your doors and windows" and to notify MIT Police immediately.
    3. present: Directs readers to "Always lock your doors and windows" and to notify MIT Police immediately about suspicious activity.
    4. present: Recipients are told to "Always lock your doors and windows" and to notify police immediately.
    5. present: Recipients are told to "Always lock your doors and windows" and to notify MIT Police immediately.
    6. present: Readers are told to "Always lock your doors and windows" and to notify MIT Police immediately about suspicious activity.
    7. present: Tells readers to "Always lock your doors and windows" and to notify MIT Police immediately.
    8. present: Tells readers to "Always lock your doors and windows" and to notify MIT Police immediately.
    9. present: Readers are told to "Always lock your doors and windows", not prop doors, and notify MIT Police at 617-253-1212.
    10. present: Recipients are told to "Always lock your doors and windows" and to notify MIT Police about suspicious activity.
    11. present: Readers are told to "Always lock your doors and windows" and to call MIT Police immediately.
    12. present: Readers are told to "Always lock your doors and windows" and to notify MIT Police immediately.
    13. present: Recipients are told to "Always lock your doors and windows" and to notify MIT Police immediately.
    14. present: Recipients are told to "Always lock your doors and windows" and to notify MIT Police immediately.
    15. present: Directs readers to "Always lock your doors and windows" and to notify MIT Police at 617-253-1212.
    16. present: Readers are told to "Always lock your doors and windows" and to notify MIT Police immediately.
    17. present: Readers are told to "Always lock your doors and windows" and to notify MIT Police at 617-253-1212.
    18. present: Readers are told to "Always lock your doors and windows" and to notify MIT Police immediately, direct protective actions.
    19. present: Readers are told to "Always lock your doors and windows" and to notify MIT Police immediately.
    20. present: Readers are told to "Always lock your doors and windows" and to call MIT Police at 617-253-1212.
    21. present: Readers are told to "Always lock your doors and windows" and to notify MIT Police, clear protective actions.
    22. present: Readers are told to "Always lock your doors and windows" and to call MIT Police about suspicious activity.
    23. present: Directs readers to "Always lock your doors and windows" and to notify MIT Police immediately.
    24. present: Readers are told to "Always lock your doors and windows" and to call MIT Police about suspicious activity.
    25. present: Readers are told to "Always lock your doors and windows" and to notify MIT Police immediately.
  • Timepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Present, 25 of 25. The burglary is dated "on October 2, 2018 between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM," a bracketed window rather than a vague reference.

    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 text dates the burglary "on October 2, 2018 between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM".
    2. present: Gives the window "October 2, 2018 between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM" for the theft.
    3. present: Gives the date and a window: "on October 2, 2018 between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM".
    4. present: It dates the theft to "October 2, 2018 between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM," a clock and calendar reference.
    5. present: It fixes the crime to "October 2, 2018 between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM," a dated window.
    6. present: It fixes the burglary to "October 2, 2018 between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM", a date and clock window.
    7. present: States the theft happened "on October 2, 2018 between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM".
    8. present: Gives a date and window, "on October 2, 2018 between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM".
    9. present: The theft window is dated: "on October 2, 2018 between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM".
    10. present: It fixes the crime on "October 2, 2018 between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM", a date and clock window.
    11. present: It fixes the crime to "October 2, 2018 between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM".
    12. present: It fixes the crime to "October 2, 2018 between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM", a dated window.
    13. present: It fixes the crime to "October 2, 2018 between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM", a date and clock window.
    14. present: It fixes the theft to "October 2, 2018 between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM".
    15. present: Gives "October 2, 2018 between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM" as the window of the theft.
    16. present: It fixes the event on "October 2, 2018 between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM", a dated window.
    17. present: It fixes the crime to "October 2, 2018 between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM".
    18. present: The theft window "on October 2, 2018 between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM" supplies date and clock time.
    19. present: It fixes the crime to "October 2, 2018 between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM", a date and clock window.
    20. present: It dates the burglary to "October 2, 2018 between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM," a precise window.
    21. present: It fixes the burglary to "October 2, 2018 between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM", an explicit date and window.
    22. present: The theft window is given as "October 2, 2018 between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM".
    23. present: Gives the date "October 2, 2018 between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM" for the burglary.
    24. present: It gives a date and window: "October 2, 2018 between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM".
    25. present: It fixes the crime to "October 2, 2018 between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM."
  • Impactabsent1/25

    Final assessment

    Absent, 1 of 25. The message reports property already taken but never says what the continuing hazard could cost readers; the single dissent treated the stolen items as consequence.

    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: Nothing states how serious the harm is or what the burglar could do beyond the theft already reported.
    2. absent: Beyond the items taken, no statement of what the hazard could do or how dangerous it is.
    3. absent: Only property loss is recounted; nothing states how serious or dangerous the situation could become for readers.
    4. absent: Nothing states how serious the harm could be beyond the fact that property was taken.
    5. absent: Nothing states how serious the risk is or what further harm could follow, only that items went missing.
    6. absent: Nothing states what the burglar could do to people or how serious the risk is, only that property was taken.
    7. absent: Only property loss is recounted; no statement of danger, injury or how serious the consequences could be.
    8. absent: Only property was taken and no severity or danger to people is stated anywhere in the notice.
    9. absent: Only the theft itself is described; no statement of danger, injury risk or severity of consequence appears.
    10. absent: Nothing states how serious the theft was or what harm could follow, only that property was taken.
    11. absent: Only property was taken and no danger, injury risk or severity of consequence is described.
    12. absent: Beyond listing the stolen laptop and backpack, no statement of danger or severity to people is offered.
    13. present: The consequence is spelled out as loss of property, urging readers to "protect yourself and your belongings from theft".
    14. absent: Nothing states what the burglary could do to people or how serious the risk is beyond the fact of theft.
    15. absent: Nothing states how serious the risk is or what harm could follow; only the theft itself is described.
    16. absent: Nothing states how serious the risk is; no harm, danger or loss consequence is spelled out for readers.
    17. absent: Nothing states how serious the theft was or what harm could follow beyond the loss itself.
    18. absent: Nothing describes danger or harm beyond the fact of property loss; no severity language appears.
    19. absent: Nothing states what harm could follow; the loss of a laptop is described without any severity or danger framing.
    20. absent: Nothing states how serious the risk is; the urban-setting reminder stops short of naming any harm.
    21. absent: Nothing states how bad the consequence could be; only the fact of stolen property is recited.
    22. absent: Beyond naming the burglary, nothing states how serious the risk is or what harm could follow.
    23. absent: Nothing states what harm could follow beyond the fact of theft, no danger or severity language.
    24. absent: Nothing states how serious the burglary risk is; there is no harm or severity claim beyond the theft itself.
    25. absent: Nothing states how serious the risk is; property loss is described but no harm or severity is asserted.

Coded by Claude Opus 5

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

About this analysis
Context

Background

MIT Police publishes Clery timely warnings and crime alerts at police.mit.edu/crime-alert with full incident narrative, safety guidance, and issuer attribution. This entry is from residual archive recovery for Burglary at New House.
Analysis

Key Findings

Official MIT Police crime-alert page preserves complete timely-warning narrative text.
Outcome
MIT Police investigation status as stated in the official crime alert.
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
    Burglary at New House | MIT Police
    police.mit.edu
    archived copy
Cite this case

Campus Alert Archive. "Massachusetts Institute of Technology: Burglary at New House —." Incident of October 2, 2018. Added July 2026; last updated August 2026. https://campusalertarchive.com/case/mit-burglary-new-house-0-2018-10-02/

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

Tags
mitmassachusetts-institute-of-technologytimely-warningburglarycrime-alertUnder Investigation
Added July 2026Updated August 2026Via ingestion