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MIT

Suspicious Person and Breaking & Entering in East Campus Building 64

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MIT Police issued a crime alert / timely warning on or about 2017-08-28. 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 verbatim3215 chars
August 29, 2017 UPDATE - Suspicious Person and Breaking & Entering Further information regarding the suspect's actions have been obtained through MIT Police Special Service investigation. A suspicious person, described by the resident to be about 25 years of age, was reported being in her room at East Campus, a residence hall, Building 64, which is located at 21 Ames Street, at approximately 4:30AM on Saturday, August 26, 2017. The reporting party described the suspect as male, black, shoulder length dreadlock hair, wearing a black and white striped patterned sweat-shirt, gray sweat pants, carrying a black backpack with striped pattern similar to the shirt. A resident reported when she returned to her room in the early morning, she encountered an unknown male standing in her room. The resident asked the suspect who he was looking for, to which he answered "the professor." When the resident replied that there are no professors living in the dorm, the suspect turned away and began walking towards the other end of the corridor. The resident then called for the suspect to come back. The resident asked the suspect if he was an MIT student or if he was ''pre-frosh" and he could not provide an answer. The resident then directed the suspect to the West Parallel, East Campus residence hall, Building 62, where there is a help desk. Instead of approaching the help desk, the suspect fumbled with the key access pad and walked away. At this time, there are no items reported missing from the dorm room. This continues to be an active and ongoing investigation. Anyone with further information is asked to call MIT Police at 617-253-1212, Special Services Investigations at 617-324-1564 or anonymously at 617-258-8477. Suggestions: 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: - ALWAYS lock your doors and windows. - Please don't prop doors open and report tailgaters. - Document serial numbers of all electronics and take pictures of all valuables. Keep this in a safe place to provide to the police in the event you are burglarized. - Be watchful: See Something = Say Something. Call the MIT Police immediately at 617-253-1212. - Get your laptop tagged! Laptop tagging and registration is a free service for MIT community members. It's offered by Information Systems & Technology (IS&T), with the support of the MIT Police. The next laptop tagging event is on September 5, 2017 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Computing @ MIT event in the lobby of the Zesiger Sports and Fitness Center (W35). - 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. 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 these crimes 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 Susan Fuller-DeAmato Crime Analyst MIT Police Department 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.

August 29, 2017 UPDATE - Suspicious Person and Breaking & Entering Further information regarding the suspect's actions have been obtained through MIT Police Special Service investigation. A suspicious person, described by the resident to be about 25 years of age, was reported being in her room at East Campus, a residence hall, Building 64, which is located at 21 Ames Street, at approximately 4:30AM on Saturday, August 26, 2017. The reporting party described the suspect as male, black, shoulder length dreadlock hair, wearing a black and white striped patterned sweat-shirt, gray sweat pants, carrying a black backpack with striped pattern similar to the shirt. A resident reported when she returned to her room in the early morning, she encountered an unknown male standing in her room. The resident asked the suspect who he was looking for, to which he answered "the professor." When the resident replied that there are no professors living in the dorm, the suspect turned away and began walking towards the other end of the corridor. The resident then called for the suspect to come back. The resident asked the suspect if he was an MIT student or if he was ''pre-frosh" and he could not provide an answer. The resident then directed the suspect to the West Parallel, East Campus residence hall, Building 62, where there is a help desk. Instead of approaching the help desk, the suspect fumbled with the key access pad and walked away. At this time, there are no items reported missing from the dorm room. This continues to be an active and ongoing investigation. Anyone with further information is asked to call MIT Police at 617-253-1212, Special Services Investigations at 617-324-1564 or anonymously at 617-258-8477. Suggestions: 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: - ALWAYS lock your doors and windows. - Please don't prop doors open and report tailgaters. - Document serial numbers of all electronics and take pictures of all valuables. Keep this in a safe place to provide to the police in the event you are burglarized. - Be watchful: See Something = Say Something. Call the MIT Police immediately at 617-253-1212. - Get your laptop tagged! Laptop tagging and registration is a free service for MIT community members. It's offered by Information Systems & Technology (IS&T), with the support of the MIT Police. The next laptop tagging event is on September 5, 2017 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Computing @ MIT event in the lobby of the Zesiger Sports and Fitness Center (W35). - 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. 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 these crimes 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 Susan Fuller-DeAmato Crime Analyst MIT Police Department 617-253-1212

  • Sourcepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Present, 25 of 25. The update credits "MIT Police Special Service investigation" and is signed "Susan Fuller-DeAmato, Crime Analyst, MIT Police Department".

    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: MIT Police Special Service and a Crime Analyst of the MIT Police Department are both identified.
    2. present: Attributed to Susan Fuller-DeAmato, Crime Analyst, MIT Police Department, with MIT Police investigating.
    3. present: Credits "MIT Police Special Service investigation" and is issued by an MIT Police crime analyst.
    4. present: "MIT Police Special Service investigation" and the department signature identify the sender.
    5. present: The update cites "MIT Police Special Service investigation" and carries a crime analyst signature.
    6. present: It credits "MIT Police Special Service investigation" and is issued by a crime analyst of the MIT Police Department.
    7. present: Attributed to MIT Police Special Service investigation and signed by a department crime analyst.
    8. present: Signed by "Susan Fuller-DeAmato, Crime Analyst, MIT Police Department" and cites MIT Police investigation.
    9. present: MIT Police and its Special Services Investigations unit are named, with a crime analyst signing the update.
    10. present: Attribution runs through "MIT Police Special Service investigation" and the signing crime analyst.
    11. present: The MIT Police Department and crime analyst Susan Fuller-DeAmato are named as issuers.
    12. present: It cites "MIT Police Special Service investigation" and is issued by the department's crime analyst.
    13. present: "MIT Police Special Service investigation" and the crime analyst signature name the sending agency.
    14. present: "MIT Police Special Service investigation" and the crime analyst signature identify the sender.
    15. present: Signed by the MIT Police Department crime analyst and cites MIT Police Special Service investigation.
    16. present: It cites "MIT Police Special Service investigation" and is signed by an MIT Police crime analyst.
    17. present: MIT Police Special Services is credited with the investigation and a crime analyst signs the update.
    18. present: The notice cites "MIT Police Special Service investigation" and is signed by the department's crime analyst.
    19. present: The MIT Police Special Service investigation is cited and a department crime analyst signs it.
    20. present: The MIT Police and their Special Services investigation are named, with a crime analyst signing off.
    21. present: The update names MIT Police Special Service investigation and is issued by their crime analyst.
    22. present: The header cites "MIT Police Special Service investigation" and the notice is signed by the department.
    23. present: Issued by a named MIT Police crime analyst, with MIT Police Special Services cited.
    24. present: It cites "MIT Police Special Service investigation" and is issued by a department crime analyst.
    25. present: The MIT Police and their Special Services investigation are named, with a crime analyst signing.
  • Hazardpresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Present, 25 of 25. The subject line names two threats, "Suspicious Person and Breaking & Entering", borne out by a resident who "encountered an unknown male standing in her room".

    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 headline threat is a "Suspicious Person and Breaking & Entering" with an unknown male in a resident's room.
    2. present: Headed "Suspicious Person and Breaking & Entering", with an unknown male found inside a resident's room.
    3. present: Headed "Suspicious Person and Breaking & Entering", with an unknown man found inside a student's room.
    4. present: The heading names "Suspicious Person and Breaking & Entering," with an unknown male found inside a room.
    5. present: The headline threat is "Suspicious Person and Breaking & Entering," with a stranger found inside a room.
    6. present: The headline threat is stated as "Suspicious Person and Breaking & Entering", with a stranger found inside a room.
    7. present: Headed "Suspicious Person and Breaking and Entering", naming an intruder found inside a room.
    8. present: Headed "Suspicious Person and Breaking & Entering", with an unknown male found inside a resident's room.
    9. present: The heading and body name "Suspicious Person and Breaking & Entering", with an unknown male found inside a room.
    10. present: The headline threat is a "Suspicious Person and Breaking & Entering", with an intruder found in a room.
    11. present: The headline threat is a "Suspicious Person and Breaking & Entering", with an intruder found in a room.
    12. present: The headline threat is a "Suspicious Person and Breaking & Entering" with an intruder inside a room.
    13. present: The headline threat is "Suspicious Person and Breaking & Entering", with an unknown man found in a room.
    14. present: The headline threat is a "Suspicious Person and Breaking & Entering", with an intruder found in a room.
    15. present: Headed "Suspicious Person and Breaking & Entering", with an unknown man found inside a student's room.
    16. present: The headline names two specific threats, a "Suspicious Person" and "Breaking & Entering" of a dorm room.
    17. present: The heading and body name "Suspicious Person and Breaking & Entering", with an unknown man inside a room.
    18. present: Headline hazard is "Suspicious Person and Breaking & Entering", with an unknown male found inside a room.
    19. present: The headline threat is a "Suspicious Person and Breaking & Entering", with an unknown male found in a room.
    20. present: The header and body identify a "Suspicious Person and Breaking & Entering" in a resident's room.
    21. present: It reports a "Suspicious Person and Breaking & Entering", with an unknown male found inside a student room.
    22. present: The title and body name a "Suspicious Person and Breaking & Entering", with a stranger found inside a room.
    23. present: Headed "Suspicious Person and Breaking & Entering", with an unknown man found inside a resident's room.
    24. present: The headline threat is a "Suspicious Person and Breaking & Entering" with a stranger found inside a room.
    25. present: Two specific threats are named in the headline and text: a suspicious person and breaking and entering.
  • Locationpresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Present, 25 of 25. The intrusion is placed at "East Campus, a residence hall, Building 64, which is located at 21 Ames Street", with the suspect later sent toward Building 62.

    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 gives "East Campus, a residence hall, Building 64, which is located at 21 Ames Street".
    2. present: Locates it at "East Campus, a residence hall, Building 64, which is located at 21 Ames Street".
    3. present: Names "East Campus, a residence hall, Building 64, which is located at 21 Ames Street".
    4. present: It specifies "East Campus, a residence hall, Building 64, which is located at 21 Ames Street."
    5. present: It specifies "East Campus, a residence hall, Building 64, which is located at 21 Ames Street."
    6. present: The place is "East Campus, a residence hall, Building 64, which is located at 21 Ames Street".
    7. present: Names "East Campus, a residence hall, Building 64, which is located at 21 Ames Street".
    8. present: Gives "East Campus, a residence hall, Building 64, which is located at 21 Ames Street".
    9. present: It gives "East Campus, a residence hall, Building 64, which is located at 21 Ames Street".
    10. present: It gives "East Campus, a residence hall, Building 64, which is located at 21 Ames Street".
    11. present: It names "East Campus, a residence hall, Building 64, which is located at 21 Ames Street".
    12. present: It names "East Campus, a residence hall, Building 64, which is located at 21 Ames Street".
    13. present: It specifies "East Campus, a residence hall, Building 64, which is located at 21 Ames Street".
    14. present: It names "East Campus, a residence hall, Building 64, which is located at 21 Ames Street".
    15. present: Gives "East Campus, a residence hall, Building 64, which is located at 21 Ames Street".
    16. present: It names "East Campus, a residence hall, Building 64, which is located at 21 Ames Street".
    17. present: It names "East Campus, a residence hall, Building 64, which is located at 21 Ames Street".
    18. present: It names "East Campus, a residence hall, Building 64, which is located at 21 Ames Street".
    19. present: It is placed at "East Campus, a residence hall, Building 64, which is located at 21 Ames Street".
    20. present: It specifies "East Campus, a residence hall, Building 64, which is located at 21 Ames Street."
    21. present: The site is "East Campus, a residence hall, Building 64, which is located at 21 Ames Street".
    22. present: It specifies "East Campus, a residence hall, Building 64, which is located at 21 Ames Street".
    23. present: Names "East Campus, a residence hall, Building 64, which is located at 21 Ames Street".
    24. present: It specifies "East Campus, a residence hall, Building 64, which is located at 21 Ames Street".
    25. present: It places the intrusion at "East Campus, a residence hall, Building 64, which is located at 21 Ames Street."
  • Guidancepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Present, 25 of 25. The tips direct readers to "ALWAYS lock your doors and windows", not prop doors, "report tailgaters", and notify MIT Police immediately about a crime.

    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 lock doors and windows, avoid propping doors, and call police about crimes.
    2. present: Asks readers to lock doors and windows, not prop doors, and call MIT Police immediately.
    3. present: Instructs readers to lock doors and windows, avoid propping doors, and call MIT Police immediately.
    4. present: It tells readers to lock doors and windows, avoid propping doors and call police about suspicious activity.
    5. present: Readers are told to lock doors and windows, avoid propping doors, and call MIT Police immediately.
    6. present: It instructs readers to lock doors and windows, avoid propping doors, report tailgaters and call MIT Police.
    7. present: Tells readers to lock doors and windows, not prop doors, report tailgaters and call MIT Police.
    8. present: Instructs readers to lock doors and windows, not prop doors, report tailgaters and call police.
    9. present: Readers are told to lock doors and windows, not prop doors, report tailgaters and call MIT Police immediately.
    10. present: Readers are told to lock doors and windows, avoid propping doors, and call MIT Police immediately.
    11. present: Community is told to lock doors and windows, not prop doors, and call police immediately.
    12. present: It instructs readers to lock doors, avoid propping them, report tailgaters and call police with information.
    13. present: Readers are told to lock doors and windows, not prop doors, report tailgaters and call police immediately.
    14. present: Readers are told to lock doors and windows, not prop doors, and call MIT Police with information.
    15. present: Instructs readers to lock doors, avoid propping them, report tailgaters, and call police with information.
    16. present: Readers are told to lock doors and windows, not prop doors and report tailgaters.
    17. present: Readers are told to lock doors and windows, not prop doors, report tailgaters and call police.
    18. present: It instructs readers to lock doors and windows, not prop doors, and call MIT Police immediately.
    19. present: Readers are told to lock doors and windows, not prop doors, and call MIT Police immediately.
    20. present: Readers are told to lock doors and windows, not prop doors, and call police about crimes in progress.
    21. present: Readers are told to lock doors and windows, avoid propping doors and call MIT Police immediately.
    22. present: Readers are told to lock doors and windows, not prop doors, and call police about crimes.
    23. present: Instructs readers to lock doors and windows, not prop doors, and call police immediately.
    24. present: Readers are told to lock doors and windows, not prop doors, report tailgaters and call police.
    25. present: It instructs readers to lock doors and windows, avoid propping doors and call police about suspicious activity.
  • Timepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Present, 25 of 25. The encounter is timed "at approximately 4:30AM on Saturday, August 26, 2017", and the message itself carries the "August 29, 2017 UPDATE" line.

    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 encounter is timed "at approximately 4:30AM on Saturday, August 26, 2017", with an August 29 update line.
    2. present: Dates the encounter "approximately 4:30AM on Saturday, August 26, 2017" with an August 29 update.
    3. present: Gives "approximately 4:30AM on Saturday, August 26, 2017" and an August 29 update line.
    4. present: The encounter is timed "at approximately 4:30AM on Saturday, August 26, 2017," with an August 29 update.
    5. present: It is dated August 29, 2017 and puts the encounter at "approximately 4:30AM on Saturday, August 26, 2017."
    6. present: It gives "approximately 4:30AM on Saturday, August 26, 2017" and an August 29, 2017 update line.
    7. present: Gives "approximately 4:30AM on Saturday, August 26, 2017" and an August 29 update line.
    8. present: Dates the encounter "at approximately 4:30AM on Saturday, August 26, 2017" with an August 29 update.
    9. present: It states "approximately 4:30AM on Saturday, August 26, 2017" and is dated as an August 29 update.
    10. present: It carries an "August 29, 2017 UPDATE" and times the encounter at "approximately 4:30AM on Saturday, August 26, 2017".
    11. present: It gives "approximately 4:30AM on Saturday, August 26, 2017" and an August 29 update.
    12. present: The encounter is timed at "approximately 4:30AM on Saturday, August 26, 2017".
    13. present: The encounter is timed "approximately 4:30AM on Saturday, August 26, 2017" with an August 29 update.
    14. present: It gives "approximately 4:30AM on Saturday, August 26, 2017" and an August 29 update line.
    15. present: Cites "approximately 4:30AM on Saturday, August 26, 2017" and an August 29 update.
    16. present: The encounter is timed "at approximately 4:30AM on Saturday, August 26, 2017" with an August 29 update.
    17. present: It is dated as an August 29, 2017 update about an encounter at "approximately 4:30AM on Saturday, August 26, 2017".
    18. present: The encounter is timed "at approximately 4:30AM on Saturday, August 26, 2017" with an August 29 update line.
    19. present: The encounter is timed "at approximately 4:30AM on Saturday, August 26, 2017", with an August 29 update line.
    20. present: The encounter is timed "at approximately 4:30AM on Saturday, August 26, 2017," with an August 29 update.
    21. present: The encounter is timed at "approximately 4:30AM on Saturday, August 26, 2017" with an August 29 update.
    22. present: It gives "approximately 4:30AM on Saturday, August 26, 2017" plus the August 29 update date.
    23. present: Gives "approximately 4:30AM on Saturday, August 26, 2017" and an August 29 update line.
    24. present: It carries an August 29, 2017 update and times the encounter at "approximately 4:30AM on Saturday, August 26, 2017".
    25. present: Time is "approximately 4:30AM on Saturday, August 26, 2017," with an August 29 update line.
  • Impactabsent1/25

    Final assessment

    Absent, 24 of 25 saying no, 1 of 25 counting the burglary framing. The text reports "there are no items reported missing" and never states harm, injury, or how dangerous the intruder was.

    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: The notice reports nothing missing and never states any danger or possible harm.
    2. absent: It notes "no items reported missing" and never says what harm the intruder might cause.
    3. absent: The notice says nothing was reported missing and offers no statement of danger or severity.
    4. absent: It notes nothing was taken and gives no statement of what danger the intruder posed.
    5. absent: It says "there are no items reported missing" and offers no statement of danger or severity.
    6. absent: It reports "no items reported missing" but never says what danger the intruder poses to residents.
    7. absent: It notes "no items reported missing" and offers no statement of danger or severity.
    8. absent: It notes "there are no items reported missing" and never describes danger or potential harm.
    9. absent: It notes nothing was taken and offers no statement of danger or possible harm to residents.
    10. absent: The text notes "there are no items reported missing" but offers no statement of danger or severity.
    11. absent: The notice says "there are no items reported missing" and never describes danger or severity.
    12. absent: It notes "there are no items reported missing" but never conveys danger or seriousness to people.
    13. present: It notes nothing was taken this time but frames the risk as burglary and theft of residents' valuables.
    14. absent: It notes "no items reported missing" and never describes what the intrusion could cause.
    15. absent: No items were taken and the notice never says what danger the intruder poses to residents.
    16. absent: It notes nothing was taken and gives no statement about danger or how serious the intrusion could be.
    17. absent: It notes nothing was taken and gives no indication of how dangerous the intruder might be.
    18. absent: The text says nothing was reported missing and makes no claim about danger to residents.
    19. absent: It notes "there are no items reported missing" and never states what harm could result.
    20. absent: The notice says nothing was reported missing and offers no statement of danger or possible harm.
    21. absent: No potential consequence is stated; indeed it notes "there are no items reported missing".
    22. absent: It reports nothing missing and no danger to residents, so no consequence or severity is conveyed.
    23. absent: It reports no items missing and offers no statement of danger or possible harm.
    24. absent: It reports "no items reported missing" and offers no statement of danger or potential harm.
    25. absent: It notes nothing was taken but never says what the intruder could have done or how dangerous it was.

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 Suspicious Person and Breaking & Entering in East Campus Building 64.
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
    Suspicious Person and Breaking & Entering in East Campus Building 64 | MIT Police
    police.mit.edu
    archived copy
Cite this case

Campus Alert Archive. "Massachusetts Institute of Technology: Suspicious Person and Breaking & Entering in East Campus Building 64." Incident of August 28, 2017. Added July 2026. https://campusalertarchive.com/case/mit-suspicious-person-and-breaking-entering-east-campus-building-2017-08-28/

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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-warningsuspicious-activitycrime-alertUnder Investigation
Added July 2026Updated July 2026Via ingestion