Police Beat

By Joseph Altman Jr.

Arizona Daily Wildcat

A resident of La Paz Residence Hall was arrested after he set a door on fire inside the hall Sunday morning.

Christopher H. Foster, 18, was charged with arson of an occupied structure, aggravated criminal damage and minor in consumption of spirituous liquor. He was booked into Pima County Jail.

At 3:09 a.m., police responded to the hall, at 602 N. Highland Ave., when a smoke detector set off the fire alarm system. Officers then learned there was a fire in the residence hall, but a resident assistant put it out by beating it with a towel.

A metal exit door covered with green poster board material had large areas of it burnt, and residue from the fire was found on the carpet nearby.

A resident who lives near the torched door said Foster had been in her room three times that evening and morning. She said the last time he came into the room, she had to physically push him out.

About a minute later, the woman heard a noise and thought Foster was tearing something. When she looked out of her room, she saw the exit door in flames and Foster leaving the area.

Police went to Foster's room and spoke to his roommate while Foster slept. Police found a swipe card machine, used to allow access to the building, in the room. Police also noticed a strong odor of an intoxicating beverage from Foster's mouth.

Police woke Foster and arrested him for minor in consumption. After questioning, Foster said he was in the room but was just messing around when he used matches to start the fire. He also admitted to pulling out the swipe machine because he was angry.

At the police station, Foster said he started the fire "because the girls had been rude" and he was "mad." He told officers he was sorry and asked that the charges be lessened.

Foster was transported to Pima County Jail and booked.

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A group of five students called police Saturday night when they observed someone shooting fireworks out of a third floor window at Manzanita-Mohave Hall, 1000 N. Park Ave.

The students, working on a float outside the building, observed two bottle rockets come from the window. Police determined which room the fireworks came from and met with the residents.

The occupant of the room said he was responsible for the fireworks and said he had no other fireworks in the room. However, he later gave the officer eight bottle rockets hidden in a roll of paper towel.

In lieu of arrest, the officer referred the student to the Dean of Students diversion program.

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A man was arrested Friday after he unlawfully entered the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity house, 638 E. University Blvd.

James R. Cifelli, 34, of the 600 block of East University Boulevard, was arrested and charged with criminal trespass and giving false information to a police officer.

An officer saw Cifelli walking away from an exterior staircase at 9:29 p.m. When the officer asked him what he was doing, Cifelli said he was a member of the fraternity and he was 35 years old. He also gave his last name as "Smith." When the officer asked why he was older than all the members, Cifelli said he was invited to the party being held that night.

The fraternity's president said he did not know who Cifelli was and he was not invited. Cifelli then said he had gone up the stairs and looked around for some time. The president then decided to press charges.

Cifelli was booked into Pima County Jail.

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An IBM computer and monitor were stolen from a room at 1103 E. University Blvd. during the weekend.

The items were taken from the office between 4:15 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. Saturday. There were no signs of forced entry.

The office's occupant expected a technician to install an upgrade, but not during off hours. There would also be no reason for a technician to take the monitor.

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A purple and white Motiv Highridge mountain bike was stolen from outside the Social Sciences Building, 1145 E. South Campus Dr., Friday night.

Between 3 p.m. Friday and 12:30 a.m. Saturday, someone took the bike, which was secured to a rack with a U-lock.

The bicycle is valued at $450.

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

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