The ACU Police Department took two juveniles into custody last month and charged them in connection to vehicle break-ins on campus.

ACU Police Chief Jimmy Ellison said ACUPD responded to a report of suspicious activity in the Smith-Adams parking lot in the early morning of Dec. 7. He said the officers took two juveniles into custody and charged them with engaging in organized criminal activity.

“Rather than charge them simply with burglary with a motor vehicle,” Ellison said, “because there were multiple individuals engaged in a series of crimes of burglary to a motor vehicle, we are able to enhance the charge to engaging in organized criminal activity.”

Their cases will be handled in juvenile court, and because both are minors, police did not disclose their identities.

ACUPD is still investigating the break-ins and trying to recover any items that they may find. Ellison said 80 percent of motor vehicle break-ins occur because the vehicles aren’t locked.

“Preventing a crime is easier than solving a crime,” said Ellison.

To prevent this crime from happening, Ellison encourages students to take precautions by following these simple steps:

• Always lock your vehicle.
  • Whether you are away from your vehicle for two minutes or two hours, always lock your vehicle.
• Always hide any possessions that may be in your vehicle.
  • Living in a college town, when a burglar sees a backpack they are going to think electronics, and your vehicle is more likely to be broken in to.
• Always park in a well-lit area.
• Always report suspicious activity