A suspect was arrested outside of Centennial Hall on Feb. 21 in connection with a series of Venmo thefts on campus, according to assistant director of communications Jenna Press.
“UCCS police officers are now working with the Colorado Springs Police Department in the ongoing investigation,” Press said. Police units were present on central campus Monday afternoon.
On Feb. 17, the suspect stole hundreds of dollars from three UCCS students outside Centennial Hall and the Shavano House dorm.
UCCS Police reported that the individual asked to use students’ phones, then transferred money from the students’ Venmo accounts. The suspect stole $700 from one student. All three incidents happened separately.
In an email sent to students, police described the suspect as a “six-foot in height black male, thin build, in his late teens to early twenties.” They said he also had long black dreadlocks with highlights, braces and glasses.
Police do not know if the suspect is a UCCS student and have not confirmed whether he is acting alone.
One victim said the individual seemed to be in distress and asked to use their phone to make a call. Students should exercise caution before handing their phones to strangers.
Students with information related to the Venmo thefts are asked to contact Officer Mike Schaller at 719-255-3111.
This story was updated at 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 22.
