The University of Arizona Police Department awarded Steve Pentland, a criminal justice administration freshman, for his call and statement that allowed police to find two men who were breaking into cars on campus.
Pentland said he witnessed two suspicious men March 23 while walking to his car in a Zone 1 lot, 425 N. Fremont Ave.
He later identified the two men, Jose F. Preciado and Paul A. Mendibles, as the same people he saw tampering with a car when police stopped them driving on North Highland Avenue and East Ninth Street.
Pentland said he was walking to his car and saw them kick something under a parked car and drive away in another car, Pentland said.
Pentland saw broken glass near the parked car and called police to report a possible break-in.
Police were able to catch the two men while they were still in the area, and Pentland said he confirmed them as the men he witnessed.
Chief of Police Anthony Daykin said Pentland's prompt call was the reason police were able to arrest the two men because he alerted police just minutes after witnessing the alleged break-in,
"It wouldn't have occurred if Steve hadn't been paying attention," Daykin said. "Or worse, if he was paying attention and did not contact us."
Daykin said Pentland took a "proactive, leadership role on campus, even as a freshman."
Pentland said he did not think informing police about what he saw was extraordinary and felt it was something he needed to do.
Pentland drives a Jeep Wrangler, the highest stolen car on campus, and parks in a Zone 1 lot, the highest-risk location for a car to be stolen.
Although he does not worry too much about his car, he reported what he witnessed because he said it is not fair others try to take what is not theirs and "enough is enough."