By John Brown
Arizona Daily Wildcat
October 3, 1997

Police Beat

While officers spoke with a man and woman accused of panhandling Monday, they discovered several tools commonly used to steal bicycles.

University police approached the two about 4 p.m. in front of Gallagher Theatre, 1303 E. University Blvd.

According to police reports, they appeared nervous and the man tried to hide his back pack.

The 20-year-old man and 19-year-old woman told officers they needed money for food and did not know panhandling was illegal.

When officers asked to look in the man's pack for "safety reasons," they found bolt cutters, a Coleman cutting tool, metal cutters, pliers, a silver bike pedal, a screw driver and a mini crow bar, reports stated.

Officers told them there had been several bike thefts in the area and asked what the tools were for.

The man said he had bought the bolt cutters that day and he used the other tools for cutting and working on jewelry, reports stated.

He agreed to have police take the tools until he could provide proof of ownership.

University police have reported six bikes stolen in the past 48 hours, five of which were secured with cable locks.

A man was able to elude parking enforcement authorities after removing an impound boot from his vehicle earlier this the week.

A Parking and Transportation Services employee told university police the boot was placed on a blue Dodge Neon Sept. 26 in lot # 4055 at East First Street and North Cherry Avenue.

The car and boot were discovered missing Monday about 7 p.m., police reports stated.

University police will call the vehicle's owner.

A student reported Tuesday he saw a Chevrolet Suburban "peel out" about midnight on the grass near the Campus Health Center, 1541 E. University Blvd.

University police took photos of the ruts in the grass from an apparent east to west U-turn.

In a related incident, a university police bike patrol officer spotted a white and blue Suburban break through a parking lot entry gate early Wednesday just east of the Main Gate Garage, 815 E. Second St.

The officer saw the truck drive over the curb between the garage and the lot and hit the gate.

The driver then fled south on North Tyndall Avenue after seeing the officer, police reports stated.

The truck was last seen heading south on North Euclid Avenue toward East Broadway Boulevard.

University police arrested a student on drug charges Wednesday at Coronado Residence Hall, 822 E. Fifth St.

Police visited David C. Grelle, 18, a Coronado resident, about 7:45 p.m. after someone reported a marijuana smell coming from his room.

While talking to Grelle the officer spotted a clear baggy containing a "green leafy substance," a plastic bottle with a dryer sheet wrapped on it and a bottle of peach schnapps by his bed, police reports stated.

Police poured the liquor into the sink and also took a small glass pipe and rolling papers.

Grelle was cited and released on charges of marijuana and drug paraphernalia possession.

Someone broke into a vehicle in the Main Gate Garage Sept. 25 but reportedly did not take anything.

A student told university police her Mercury convertible was parked on the third floor of the garage, 815 E. Second St., between midnight and 1 a.m.

According to police reports, the student found her car with the driver's side door ajar, the engine hood propped open and a 5-inch cut in the roof.

The battery had also been disconnected and the car's clock was stopped at 1 a.m.

The student told police nothing was missing.

Police Beat is compiled from official University of Arizona Police Department reports.