Campus Alert Archive
MIT

Burglary at Alpha Delta Phi —

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MIT Police issued a timely warning on or about 2023-12-29. Full text is preserved from the official Crime Alerts & Timely Warnings archive.

Alerts
1
Response
—
Killed
0
Injured
0
Institution
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Private R1 · MA
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~12,000 studentsMIT Police Timely Warnings
Official alert policy
Read when and how MIT says it will use MIT Alert: summarized, quoted, and analyzed.
Documented Timeline

Alert Sequence

1 message in sequence · 1 verified verbatim

Confirmed wording is transcribed character-for-character from a primary source. Use Verify this quote under each message to open that source in a new tab and compare the text yourself.

INITIAL ALERTEmail
Verified verbatim2000 chars
On December 29, 2023, at 6:05 P.M., the MIT Police responded to Alpha Delta Phi, an MIT Fraternity located at 351 Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge on a report of a burglary. The reporting party stated that at 3:49 A.M. on December 29, 2023, two males entered the building through the front door and stole two bicycles from a basement bicycle storage room. There were no signs of forced entry. One suspect was described as male, wearing dark clothing and a gray hood. One suspect was described as male, wearing dark clothing and a white baseball hat. While victims of crimes are never to blame for criminal activity, there are some precautions that can be taken. In order to protect yourself and your belongings from theft and/or facilitate the recovery of your stolen property, MIT Police encourage you to follow these tips: · Immediately notify the MIT Police at 617-253-1212 or 100 from any campus phone if you believe a crime is occurring, has occurred, or is about to occur. · Always lock your residential doors and windows. Assure that the locks are in good working order. Close and lock first floor windows at night or when not at home. If windows have a box air conditioner, consider using a brace to prevent intruders from using those windows a way to gain entry. · Lock your residential door if you are leaving (even if only for a minute or two). · When entering or exiting a residence or, make sure the door closes tightly behind you. · Report suspicious people or activity. Report all tailgaters. The MIT Police want to remind the MIT community that we are located in an urban setting and share many of the crime and safety issues that exist in any city. The MIT Police are investigating this crime and request the assistance from the MIT community. If you wish to leave an anonymous tip please call 617-258-TIPS (8-8477). Issued by MIT Police Crime Prevention/Community Policing Unit MIT Police 565-570 Memorial Drive Cambridge, Ma. 02139 617-253-1212
Verify this quote
MIT Police Crime Alerts & Timely Warnings (police.mit.edu)police.mit.edufind archived copies
Full text from official MIT Police timely warning page
2026-09-21 second deep audit P2 chrome R1: live police.mit.edu timely-warning page product ends at the issuer/Clery close. Drupal CSS, Google Analytics, page-title line, and Emergency 24/7 sidebar are page furniture. Paired demote+correct. Cap-exempt.
Message elements

How the first alert is built

To check this alert, Claude Opus 5.5 (an AI) read it in full 25 separate times, independently. Each read decided whether the message answers each of the six questions and gave a short reason. A final reviewer then weighed all 25 and wrote the plain-English verdict you see when you open a row. The score (for example 22/25) is how many reads agreed; the 25 individual reads are tucked underneath if you want to check them.

On December 29, 2023, at 6:05 P.M., the MIT Police responded to Alpha Delta Phi, an MIT Fraternity located at 351 Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge on a report of a burglary. The reporting party stated that at 3:49 A.M. on December 29, 2023, two males entered the building through the front door and stole two bicycles from a basement bicycle storage room. There were no signs of forced entry. One suspect was described as male, wearing dark clothing and a gray hood. One suspect was described as male, wearing dark clothing and a white baseball hat. While victims of crimes are never to blame for criminal activity, there are some precautions that can be taken. In order to protect yourself and your belongings from theft and/or facilitate the recovery of your stolen property, MIT Police encourage you to follow these tips: · Immediately notify the MIT Police at 617-253-1212 or 100 from any campus phone if you believe a crime is occurring, has occurred, or is about to occur. · Always lock your residential doors and windows. Assure that the locks are in good working order. Close and lock first floor windows at night or when not at home. If windows have a box air conditioner, consider using a brace to prevent intruders from using those windows a way to gain entry. · Lock your residential door if you are leaving (even if only for a minute or two). · When entering or exiting a residence or, make sure the door closes tightly behind you. · Report suspicious people or activity. Report all tailgaters. The MIT Police want to remind the MIT community that we are located in an urban setting and share many of the crime and safety issues that exist in any city. The MIT Police are investigating this crime and request the assistance from the MIT community. If you wish to leave an anonymous tip please call 617-258-TIPS (8-8477). Issued by MIT Police Crime Prevention/Community Policing Unit MIT Police 565-570 Memorial Drive Cambridge, Ma. 02139 617-253-1212

  • Sourcepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Present, unanimously: the notice names the MIT Police throughout and closes with an "Issued by" block for the MIT Police Crime Prevention/Community Policing Unit.

    Who is sending the alert and who is responding. People act faster on a message from a clearly identifiable, credible sender, such as a named department, the police, or a branded alert system, than on an anonymous notice. A branded signature counts.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: It is "Issued by MIT Police Crime Prevention/Community Policing Unit", identifying the sender.
    2. present: It says 'the MIT Police responded' and is 'Issued by MIT Police Crime Prevention/Community Policing Unit'.
    3. present: It names "the MIT Police" and is issued by the "MIT Police Crime Prevention/Community Policing Unit".
    4. present: It says 'the MIT Police responded' and is 'Issued by MIT Police Crime Prevention/Community Policing Unit'.
    5. present: It names 'the MIT Police' and is issued by the MIT Police Crime Prevention/Community Policing Unit.
    6. present: It says 'the MIT Police responded' and is issued by the MIT Police Crime Prevention/Community Policing Unit.
    7. present: It says 'the MIT Police responded' and is issued by the MIT Police Crime Prevention/Community Policing Unit.
    8. present: It is issued by the MIT Police Crime Prevention/Community Policing Unit, a named agency.
    9. present: The notice is 'Issued by' the 'MIT Police Crime Prevention/Community Policing Unit', naming the sending agency.
    10. present: It says 'the MIT Police responded' and is 'Issued by MIT Police Crime Prevention/Community Policing Unit'.
    11. present: It says 'the MIT Police responded' and is issued by the 'MIT Police Crime Prevention/Community Policing Unit'.
    12. present: It states 'the MIT Police responded' and is 'Issued by MIT Police Crime Prevention/Community Policing Unit'.
    13. present: The notice says 'the MIT Police responded' and is issued by the MIT Police Crime Prevention unit.
    14. present: It is 'Issued by MIT Police Crime Prevention/Community Policing Unit', naming the sending agency.
    15. present: It says "the MIT Police responded" and is issued by the MIT Police Crime Prevention/Community Policing Unit.
    16. present: It names 'the MIT Police' as responders and is 'Issued by MIT Police Crime Prevention/Community Policing Unit'.
    17. present: It says 'the MIT Police responded' and is 'Issued by MIT Police Crime Prevention/Community Policing Unit'.
    18. present: The notice is 'Issued by MIT Police Crime Prevention/Community Policing Unit', identifying the source.
    19. present: It says the MIT Police responded and is issued by the MIT Police Crime Prevention/Community Policing Unit.
    20. present: It says 'the MIT Police responded' and is 'Issued by MIT Police Crime Prevention/Community Policing Unit'.
    21. present: It says 'the MIT Police responded' and is issued by the MIT Police Crime Prevention/Community Policing Unit.
    22. present: It says 'the MIT Police responded' and closes with 'Issued by MIT Police Crime Prevention/Community Policing Unit'.
    23. present: It says 'the MIT Police responded' and is issued by the 'MIT Police Crime Prevention/Community Policing Unit'.
    24. present: It is 'Issued by MIT Police Crime Prevention/Community Policing Unit', which identifies the sending agency.
    25. present: It is 'Issued by MIT Police Crime Prevention/Community Policing Unit', identifying the sender.
  • Hazardpresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Present, unanimously: it names a specific crime, "a report of a burglary" in which two males stole two bicycles.

    What the threat actually is. A complete warning names the specific danger, such as a shooter, a fire, a tornado, or a gas leak, rather than a vague emergency, because people decide what to do based on what they are facing.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: It reports a "burglary" where two males entered and stole two bicycles.
    2. present: It reports 'a burglary' in which two males stole two bicycles from a basement storage room.
    3. present: It reports "a burglary" in which two males entered and stole two bicycles, a specific crime.
    4. present: It names 'a burglary' in which two males stole two bicycles from a basement storage room.
    5. present: It reports 'a burglary' in which two males entered the fraternity and stole two bicycles from the basement.
    6. present: It reports 'a burglary' in which two males entered and stole two bicycles.
    7. present: It reports 'a report of a burglary' in which two males stole two bicycles from a basement storage room.
    8. present: It names a burglary in which two males stole two bicycles from basement storage.
    9. present: It reports 'a burglary' in which two males entered and stole two bicycles, a specific crime.
    10. present: It names 'a report of a burglary' in which two males stole two bicycles.
    11. present: It reports 'a burglary' in which two males entered and stole two bicycles from a basement storage room.
    12. present: It names 'a report of a burglary' in which two males stole two bicycles.
    13. present: It names 'a burglary' in which two males stole two bicycles from a basement storage room.
    14. present: It names 'a report of a burglary' in which two males stole bicycles from a basement storage room.
    15. present: It names "a report of a burglary" in which two males stole two bicycles from a storage room.
    16. present: It reports 'a burglary' where two males stole two bicycles from a basement storage room.
    17. present: It names 'a burglary' in which two males stole two bicycles, a specific crime.
    18. present: It reports 'a burglary' in which two males entered and stole two bicycles.
    19. present: It names a burglary in which two males stole two bicycles from a basement storage room.
    20. present: It names 'a report of a burglary' where two males stole two bicycles.
    21. present: It names 'a report of a burglary' in which two males stole two bicycles from a basement storage room.
    22. present: It names 'a report of a burglary' where two males stole two bicycles.
    23. present: It names 'a report of a burglary' where two males stole two bicycles.
    24. present: It reports 'a burglary' in which two males stole two bicycles from a basement storage room.
    25. present: It reports 'a burglary' in which two males entered and stole two bicycles from a basement storage room.
  • Locationpresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Present, unanimously: it gives Alpha Delta Phi, an MIT fraternity at "351 Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge", and a basement bicycle storage room.

    Where the threat is. Saying whether danger is in a specific building, a part of campus, or area-wide lets people judge their own proximity and choose a safe direction. Without a where, a warning is hard to act on precisely.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: It gives "Alpha Delta Phi ... located at 351 Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge".
    2. present: It names 'Alpha Delta Phi ... located at 351 Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge'.
    3. present: The burglary was at "Alpha Delta Phi ... located at 351 Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge".
    4. present: It places the burglary at 'Alpha Delta Phi ... located at 351 Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge'.
    5. present: It names 'Alpha Delta Phi ... located at 351 Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge'.
    6. present: It names 'Alpha Delta Phi, an MIT Fraternity located at 351 Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge'.
    7. present: It names 'Alpha Delta Phi, an MIT Fraternity located at 351 Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge'.
    8. present: The location is Alpha Delta Phi at 351 Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge.
    9. present: It places the burglary at 'Alpha Delta Phi' at '351 Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge'.
    10. present: It gives 'Alpha Delta Phi ... located at 351 Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge' as the location.
    11. present: The burglary occurred at 'Alpha Delta Phi, an MIT Fraternity located at 351 Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge'.
    12. present: It places the burglary at 'Alpha Delta Phi ... located at 351 Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge'.
    13. present: It occurred at 'Alpha Delta Phi' at '351 Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge', a specific address.
    14. present: It gives 'Alpha Delta Phi... located at 351 Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge'.
    15. present: It gives the fraternity Alpha Delta Phi at "351 Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge" as the burglary location.
    16. present: It locates the burglary at 'Alpha Delta Phi ... located at 351 Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge'.
    17. present: It locates it at 'Alpha Delta Phi... located at 351 Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge'.
    18. present: It names 'Alpha Delta Phi, an MIT Fraternity located at 351 Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge'.
    19. present: It places the burglary at Alpha Delta Phi, 351 Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge.
    20. present: It locates the burglary at 'Alpha Delta Phi ... 351 Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge'.
    21. present: It places the burglary at 'Alpha Delta Phi ... located at 351 Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge'.
    22. present: It locates it at 'Alpha Delta Phi' at '351 Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge'.
    23. present: It names 'Alpha Delta Phi ... located at 351 Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge'.
    24. present: It names 'Alpha Delta Phi, an MIT Fraternity located at 351 Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge'.
    25. present: It names 'Alpha Delta Phi ... located at 351 Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge'.
  • Guidancepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Present, unanimously: the tips instruct readers to "Always lock your residential doors and windows", lock doors when leaving, and notify the MIT Police.

    The protective action to take. A clear, specific instruction, such as shelter in place, evacuate, avoid the area, or run-hide-fight, drives faster and more correct protective behavior than describing the threat alone.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: It advises readers to "Always lock your residential doors and windows" and report tailgaters, protective actions.
    2. present: It tells readers to 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and to 'Report suspicious people or activity'.
    3. present: It urges readers to "Always lock your residential doors and windows" and report tailgaters, which are protective actions.
    4. present: It lists tips such as 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and 'Report all tailgaters'.
    5. present: It tells readers to 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and report tailgaters.
    6. present: It advises 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and to 'Report all tailgaters'.
    7. present: It tells readers to 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and report suspicious people.
    8. present: It advises 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and to report suspicious people, protective actions.
    9. present: It urges readers to 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and report tailgaters, protective actions.
    10. present: It advises 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and to lock the door even when leaving briefly.
    11. present: It urges readers to 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and to report suspicious people or activity.
    12. present: It tells readers to 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and to report tailgaters.
    13. present: It lists tips such as 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and 'Report all tailgaters'.
    14. present: It tells readers to 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and to report tailgaters.
    15. present: It advises "Always lock your residential doors and windows" and to report suspicious people or tailgaters.
    16. present: It lists tips such as 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and 'Report suspicious people', protective actions.
    17. present: It advises 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and to close first floor windows, protective actions.
    18. present: It urges readers to lock residential doors and windows and to report tailgaters and suspicious people.
    19. present: It lists tips such as always lock residential doors and windows and report all tailgaters.
    20. present: It urges readers to 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and report tailgaters.
    21. present: It tells recipients to 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and to report suspicious people or tailgaters.
    22. present: It tells readers to 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and 'Report all tailgaters'.
    23. present: It urges readers to 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and report tailgaters.
    24. present: It tells recipients to 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and to report tailgaters, protective actions.
    25. present: It advises readers to lock residential doors and windows and to 'Report all tailgaters'.
  • Timepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Present, unanimously: it gives the date "December 29, 2023" with times of 3:49 A.M. for the theft and 6:05 P.M. for the police response.

    When the message applies. A timestamp, the word now or immediately, or a phrase like until further notice tells the reader whether the danger is current and how quickly to act.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: It gives "December 29, 2023, at 6:05 P.M." and the entry at "3:49 A.M.".
    2. present: It gives 'December 29, 2023, at 6:05 P.M.' and the entry time '3:49 A.M.'.
    3. present: It gives "December 29, 2023, at 6:05 P.M." and the earlier entry time of "3:49 A.M."
    4. present: It says the entry happened 'at 3:49 A.M. on December 29, 2023' and police responded at 6:05 P.M.
    5. present: It gives 'December 29, 2023, at 6:05 P.M.' and the 3:49 A.M. entry time.
    6. present: It gives 'December 29, 2023, at 6:05 P.M.' and the entry time of 3:49 A.M.
    7. present: It gives 'December 29, 2023, at 6:05 P.M.' for the response and 3:49 A.M. for the entry.
    8. present: It says police responded 'On December 29, 2023, at 6:05 P.M.' and the entry was at 3:49 A.M.
    9. present: It gives 'December 29, 2023, at 6:05 P.M.' for the response and '3:49 A.M.' for the entry.
    10. present: It states 'December 29, 2023, at 6:05 P.M.' and that the entry occurred at '3:49 A.M.'.
    11. present: It gives 'December 29, 2023, at 6:05 P.M.' and '3:49 A.M.' as response and entry times.
    12. present: It gives 'December 29, 2023, at 6:05 P.M.' and the 3:49 A.M. entry time.
    13. present: It gives 'December 29, 2023, at 6:05 P.M.' and the entry time of '3:49 A.M.'.
    14. present: It gives 'December 29, 2023, at 6:05 P.M.' and the entry time of 3:49 A.M.
    15. present: It gives "December 29, 2023, at 6:05 P.M." for the response and 3:49 A.M. for the entry.
    16. present: It gives 'December 29, 2023, at 6:05 P.M.' and the entry time '3:49 A.M.' on the same date.
    17. present: It gives 'December 29, 2023, at 6:05 P.M.' and '3:49 A.M.' as times.
    18. present: It gives 'December 29, 2023, at 6:05 P.M.' and the theft time of '3:49 A.M.'
    19. present: It gives December 29, 2023, with entry at 3:49 A.M. and the police response at 6:05 P.M.
    20. present: It gives 'December 29, 2023, at 6:05 P.M.' and the entry time of 3:49 A.M.
    21. present: It gives 'December 29, 2023, at 6:05 P.M.' for the response and '3:49 A.M.' for the entry.
    22. present: It gives 'December 29, 2023, at 6:05 P.M.' and the entry time of '3:49 A.M.'.
    23. present: It gives 'December 29, 2023, at 6:05 P.M.' and the entry time of '3:49 A.M.'
    24. present: It gives 'December 29, 2023, at 6:05 P.M.' for the response and '3:49 A.M.' for the entry.
    25. present: It gives 'December 29, 2023, at 6:05 P.M.' and the entry time of '3:49 A.M.'.
  • Impactabsent0/25

    Final assessment

    Absent, unanimously: it reports stolen bicycles with "no signs of forced entry" and states no injury, danger, or severity to people.

    What the hazard could do to the people in its path. Beyond naming the threat, a complete warning conveys its potential consequences or severity, such as that a tornado can level buildings or that a leak could be explosive, so recipients grasp how much danger they are in. Research on warning message content finds that a concrete impact statement helps people personalize their risk and act sooner.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. absent: It notes stolen bicycles and no forced entry, conveying no harm or severity to people.
    2. absent: Only bicycle theft is described, with no mention of injury, danger, or other consequence.
    3. absent: Apart from stolen bicycles, the text conveys no stated harm or severity, so impact is not present.
    4. absent: The alert reports stolen bicycles with no forced entry and states no harm or severity.
    5. absent: It reports property theft only and states no danger or harm to people.
    6. absent: The alert covers stolen bicycles with no stated injury, danger, or severity.
    7. absent: The notice reports only stolen bicycles and no forced entry, with no statement of potential harm or severity.
    8. absent: Only property theft is described, with no stated consequence or danger to people.
    9. absent: The alert describes stolen bicycles but conveys no stated consequence or severity for recipients.
    10. absent: It describes stolen bicycles without stating any harm, danger, or severity to community members.
    11. absent: It describes stolen bicycles with 'no signs of forced entry' but does not state any harm or severity beyond the theft.
    12. absent: It describes a bicycle theft without forced entry and states no severity or potential harm to people.
    13. absent: The theft of two bicycles is described without any stated harm, danger, or severity to residents.
    14. absent: The alert reports two stolen bicycles and never states any harm to people or severity.
    15. absent: Beyond the theft of two bicycles, no consequence, injury, or severity is conveyed to recipients.
    16. absent: Aside from the stolen bicycles, it states no harm to people or severity of the threat.
    17. absent: It reports stolen bicycles with no signs of forced entry and conveys no harm or severity.
    18. absent: It notes stolen bicycles and no forced entry but states no consequence or severity for recipients.
    19. absent: The alert concerns stolen bicycles and states no harm, danger, or severity to people.
    20. absent: The alert mentions only property theft and no injury, danger, or severity to people.
    21. absent: It describes stolen bicycles and 'no signs of forced entry' but states no severity or potential harm to people.
    22. absent: It describes bicycles stolen without forced entry and states no harm or danger to people.
    23. absent: It describes a bicycle theft with no stated harm, danger, or severity to people.
    24. absent: It reports stolen bicycles with no signs of forced entry and states no harm or danger to people.
    25. absent: It describes property theft without forced entry and conveys no consequence or severity for people.

Coded by Claude Opus 5.5

Systematic AI judgments with visible reasoning, not human-validated codings.

About this analysis
Context

Background

On or about 2023-12-29, MIT Police published a Clery timely warning on the Crime Alerts & Timely Warnings archive at https://police.mit.edu/crime-alert/timely-warning-burglary-21.
Analysis

Key Findings

Official MIT Police timely warning with complete text
Captured for Ivy Plus MIT five-year deep pass
Outcome
MIT Police investigation status as stated in the timely warning.
Provenance

Sources

Every claim on this page is meant to be checkable. Open the links below (and the Verify this quote control under each confirmed alert) to read the original university, news, or archive page yourself. Hostnames are shown so you can see where you are going; archived copies survive when live pages move or disappear. See also our methodology.

  1. Official
    Timely Warning Burglary
    police.mit.edu
    archived copy
  2. Official
    MIT Police timely warnings index
    police.mit.edu
    archived copy
  3. Statement
    MIT
    mit.edu
    archived copy
Cite this case

Campus Alert Archive. "Massachusetts Institute of Technology: Burglary at Alpha Delta Phi —." Incident of December 29, 2023. Added July 2026; last updated September 2026. https://campusalertarchive.com/case/mit-burglary-alpha-delta-phi-an-mit-fraternity-locate-2023-12-29/

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Alert text quoted on this page remains the work of the issuing institution; the archive is a secondary source.

Tags
burglarytimely-warningmitcleryUnder Investigation
Added July 2026Updated September 2026Via ingestion