Campus Alert Archive
MIT

Two Burglaries at Building 4

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MIT Police issued a crime alert / timely warning on or about 2018-08-08. Full text is preserved from the official MIT Police Crime Alerts 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
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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 verbatim2326 chars
Timely Warning 2 Burglaries There is no suspect description at this time. An office located on the second floor of building 4, which is located at 182 Memorial Drive, was burglarized twice between Friday, August 4, 2018 and Tuesday, August 7, 2018. According to the reporting party, sometime between 3:45 PM on Friday and 8:00 AM on Monday, an unknown person entered the office area and stole an electronic track pad. When staff left the office on Monday at 5:00 PM, no other items were missing. On Tuesday, August 7, 2018, at 8:00 AM, when staff entered the same office, staff discovered a recently purchased desktop computer missing. In its place was an older, less valuable computer, which had previously been installed in another area in the office. There were no signs of forced entry and the office door had been locked during both intrusions. Suggestions: While victims of crime 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: - See Something - Say Something: 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. - Take easily portable valuables with you if you leave for an extended period of time or take additional safety measures to secure items. - Keep doors and windows locked. Assure that the locks are in good working order. - Report all tailgaters, report suspicious people/activity. - Document serial numbers of your electronics and take pictures of your valuables. Keep this in a safe place to provide to the police in the event you are burglarized. - Register your laptop computer. Laptop tagging is now free for the MIT community, and is offered at the IS&T Service Desk in E17-106. 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 Sgt. Andrew Turco MIT Police Department (617) 253-1212
Verify this quote
MIT Police Crime Alerts & Timely Warningspolice.mit.edufind archived copies
Transcribed from official police.mit.edu crime-alert page structured fields (Incident, Suspect, Summary, Suggestions, Issued by).
Page recovered live from MIT Police Crime Alerts archive.
Message elements

How the first alert is built

To check this alert, Claude Opus 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.

Timely Warning 2 Burglaries There is no suspect description at this time. An office located on the second floor of building 4, which is located at 182 Memorial Drive, was burglarized twice between Friday, August 4, 2018 and Tuesday, August 7, 2018. According to the reporting party, sometime between 3:45 PM on Friday and 8:00 AM on Monday, an unknown person entered the office area and stole an electronic track pad. When staff left the office on Monday at 5:00 PM, no other items were missing. On Tuesday, August 7, 2018, at 8:00 AM, when staff entered the same office, staff discovered a recently purchased desktop computer missing. In its place was an older, less valuable computer, which had previously been installed in another area in the office. There were no signs of forced entry and the office door had been locked during both intrusions. Suggestions: While victims of crime 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: - See Something - Say Something: 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. - Take easily portable valuables with you if you leave for an extended period of time or take additional safety measures to secure items. - Keep doors and windows locked. Assure that the locks are in good working order. - Report all tailgaters, report suspicious people/activity. - Document serial numbers of your electronics and take pictures of your valuables. Keep this in a safe place to provide to the police in the event you are burglarized. - Register your laptop computer. Laptop tagging is now free for the MIT community, and is offered at the IS&T Service Desk in E17-106. 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 Sgt. Andrew Turco MIT Police Department (617) 253-1212

  • Sourcepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Present, 25 of 25. The header reads "Timely Warning" and the notice is signed by Sgt. Andrew Turco of the MIT Police Department, the agency also investigating.

    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: The notice is headed "Timely Warning" and signed by Sgt. Andrew Turco, MIT Police Department.
    2. present: Signed by "Sgt. Andrew Turco, MIT Police Department", and the MIT Police are named as investigators.
    3. present: Signed "Sgt. Andrew Turco, MIT Police Department", and MIT Police issue the tips.
    4. present: The MIT Police are named throughout and the sign-off reads "Sgt. Andrew Turco, MIT Police Department".
    5. present: It is "Issued by Sgt. Andrew Turco, MIT Police Department", and MIT Police are named in the tips.
    6. present: It is issued by "Sgt. Andrew Turco, MIT Police Department" and cites MIT Police guidance.
    7. present: The heading "Timely Warning" plus the MIT Police tips and Sgt. Andrew Turco's signature identify the sender.
    8. present: It ends "Issued by Sgt. Andrew Turco, MIT Police Department", naming the sender.
    9. present: Headed "Timely Warning" and signed by "Sgt. Andrew Turco, MIT Police Department" with a phone number.
    10. present: The heading "Timely Warning" is followed by MIT Police tips and "Issued by Sgt. Andrew Turco, MIT Police Department".
    11. present: The MIT Police are named as investigators and Sgt. Andrew Turco signs the warning.
    12. present: The warning is issued by Sgt. Andrew Turco of the MIT Police Department, which is named throughout.
    13. present: Headed "Timely Warning" and signed "Sgt. Andrew Turco, MIT Police Department", naming the issuing agency.
    14. present: MIT Police are named in the tips and Sgt. Andrew Turco of the MIT Police Department signs it.
    15. present: Headed "Timely Warning" and signed "Sgt. Andrew Turco, MIT Police Department", identifying the sender.
    16. present: MIT Police are named as issuing and investigating, signed by Sgt. Andrew Turco.
    17. present: The heading "Timely Warning" plus "MIT Police" and Sgt. Andrew Turco's signature identify the sender.
    18. present: The message is signed by "Sgt. Andrew Turco, MIT Police Department" and repeatedly cites MIT Police.
    19. present: The MIT Police are named as the advising and investigating department, signed by Sgt. Andrew Turco.
    20. present: Headed "Timely Warning" and signed "Sgt. Andrew Turco, MIT Police Department", identifying the sender.
    21. present: It is headed "Timely Warning" and signed by Sgt. Andrew Turco of the MIT Police Department.
    22. present: Signed "Sgt. Andrew Turco, MIT Police Department", and MIT Police are named as the advising agency.
    23. present: It carries the MIT Police voice throughout and is issued by "Sgt. Andrew Turco, MIT Police Department".
    24. present: The heading "Timely Warning" with the MIT Police signature from Sgt. Andrew Turco identifies the sender.
    25. present: The MIT Police are cited throughout and Sgt. Andrew Turco of the MIT Police Department signs it.
  • Hazardpresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Present, 25 of 25. Heading and body agree: "2 Burglaries" of an office "burglarized twice", losing "an electronic track pad" and then a recently purchased desktop computer.

    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: The heading and body name "2 Burglaries", with a track pad and a desktop computer stolen from an office.
    2. present: The header reads "2 Burglaries" and describes an office "burglarized twice" with equipment stolen.
    3. present: Headed "2 Burglaries", describing an office burglarized twice with equipment stolen.
    4. present: The heading is "2 Burglaries" and an office "was burglarized twice", with a trackpad and computer taken.
    5. present: The headline is "2 Burglaries", and a track pad and a desktop computer were stolen from an office.
    6. present: The header "2 Burglaries" and the account of a stolen trackpad and desktop name the crime.
    7. present: The hazard is stated in the title "2 Burglaries", with a track pad and desktop computer stolen.
    8. present: The heading "2 Burglaries" and the office "burglarized twice" name a specific crime.
    9. present: It reports "2 Burglaries" of an office, with a track pad and a desktop computer taken.
    10. present: The headline reads "2 Burglaries" and describes an office burglarized twice with a trackpad and computer stolen.
    11. present: Headed "2 Burglaries" and describes an office "burglarized twice" with a track pad and computer stolen.
    12. present: The headline and body report "2 Burglaries" with a track pad and a desktop computer stolen from an office.
    13. present: It announces "2 Burglaries" of an office, with a track pad and a desktop computer stolen.
    14. present: The heading and body name "2 Burglaries" with a track pad and a desktop computer stolen.
    15. present: Announces "2 Burglaries", with a track pad and a desktop computer stolen from a locked office.
    16. present: The heading reads "2 Burglaries" and describes an office burglarized twice with items stolen.
    17. present: The hazard is stated in the title and body, "2 Burglaries", with a track pad and computer stolen.
    18. present: The header reads "2 Burglaries" and describes an office "burglarized twice" with electronics stolen.
    19. present: The heading "2 Burglaries" and the theft of a track pad and desktop computer name a specific crime.
    20. present: The heading "2 Burglaries" and the theft of a track pad and desktop computer name the crime.
    21. present: The subject line "2 Burglaries" and the account of a stolen track pad and computer name the crime.
    22. present: The heading "2 Burglaries" and the account of a stolen track pad and desktop computer name the crime.
    23. present: The heading "2 Burglaries" and the account of an office "burglarized twice" name the specific crime.
    24. present: The subject line is "2 Burglaries", and a track pad and desktop computer were stolen from an office.
    25. present: The heading and body name "2 Burglaries", with a track pad and a desktop computer stolen from an office.
  • Locationpresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Present, 25 of 25. The target is precise: "an office located on the second floor of building 4, which is located at 182 Memorial Drive".

    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: The office is on "the second floor of building 4, which is located at 182 Memorial Drive".
    2. present: It names "an office located on the second floor of building 4, which is located at 182 Memorial Drive".
    3. present: Names "an office located on the second floor of building 4, which is located at 182 Memorial Drive".
    4. present: It pinpoints "An office located on the second floor of building 4, which is located at 182 Memorial Drive".
    5. present: The office is "on the second floor of building 4, which is located at 182 Memorial Drive".
    6. present: It specifies "an office located on the second floor of building 4, which is located at 182 Memorial Drive".
    7. present: It names "an office located on the second floor of building 4, which is located at 182 Memorial Drive".
    8. present: It specifies "an office located on the second floor of building 4, which is located at 182 Memorial Drive".
    9. present: The site is "an office located on the second floor of building 4, which is located at 182 Memorial Drive".
    10. present: It names "an office located on the second floor of building 4, which is located at 182 Memorial Drive".
    11. present: Specifies "an office located on the second floor of building 4, which is located at 182 Memorial Drive".
    12. present: It gives "an office located on the second floor of building 4, which is located at 182 Memorial Drive".
    13. present: It pinpoints "an office located on the second floor of building 4, which is located at 182 Memorial Drive".
    14. present: It specifies "an office located on the second floor of building 4, which is located at 182 Memorial Drive".
    15. present: Names "an office located on the second floor of building 4, which is located at 182 Memorial Drive".
    16. present: It names "an office located on the second floor of building 4, which is located at 182 Memorial Drive".
    17. present: It specifies "an office located on the second floor of building 4, which is located at 182 Memorial Drive".
    18. present: It names "an office located on the second floor of building 4, which is located at 182 Memorial Drive".
    19. present: It gives "an office located on the second floor of building 4, which is located at 182 Memorial Drive".
    20. present: It names "an office located on the second floor of building 4, which is located at 182 Memorial Drive".
    21. present: It names "an office located on the second floor of building 4, which is located at 182 Memorial Drive".
    22. present: It gives "an office located on the second floor of building 4, which is located at 182 Memorial Drive".
    23. present: It specifies "an office located on the second floor of building 4, which is located at 182 Memorial Drive".
    24. present: The site is "an office located on the second floor of building 4, which is located at 182 Memorial Drive".
    25. present: It specifies "an office located on the second floor of building 4, which is located at 182 Memorial Drive".
  • Guidancepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Present, 25 of 25. The advice is actionable: take portable valuables with you, "Keep doors and windows locked", and "Report all tailgaters, report suspicious people/activity".

    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 taking portable valuables along, keeping doors and windows locked, and registering laptops for tagging.
    2. present: It tells readers to lock doors and windows, take valuables away, register laptops, and report tailgaters.
    3. present: Instructs readers to keep doors locked, take valuables along, register laptops, and report tailgaters.
    4. present: Readers are told to keep doors and windows locked, remove portable valuables, and report suspicious people.
    5. present: Readers are told to lock doors and windows, remove portable valuables, and report suspicious people.
    6. present: Suggestions include keeping doors locked, removing portable valuables, and reporting suspicious people.
    7. present: Readers are told to take valuables with them, keep doors locked, and document serial numbers.
    8. present: It urges readers to keep doors and windows locked, take valuables along, and report tailgaters.
    9. present: It advises keeping doors locked, removing portable valuables, registering laptops, and reporting tailgaters.
    10. present: It advises taking valuables away, keeping doors locked, documenting serial numbers, and reporting suspicious people.
    11. present: Advises taking valuables away, keeping doors locked, registering laptops, and reporting tailgaters.
    12. present: It tells readers to keep doors and windows locked, take valuables along, and report suspicious people.
    13. present: It instructs readers to keep doors and windows locked, take valuables away, and report suspicious people.
    14. present: It tells readers to keep doors and windows locked, take valuables with them, and report suspicious activity.
    15. present: Advises taking valuables away, keeping doors locked, reporting tailgaters, and registering laptops.
    16. present: Readers are told to keep doors locked, take valuables with them, and report suspicious people.
    17. present: It advises securing valuables, keeping doors locked, registering laptops and reporting suspicious people.
    18. present: Readers are told to take valuables with them, keep doors locked, register laptops, and report suspicious activity.
    19. present: It instructs readers to keep doors and windows locked, take valuables along, and report suspicious people.
    20. present: Readers are told to keep doors locked, take valuables with them, register laptops, and report tailgaters.
    21. present: It tells readers to keep doors locked, remove portable valuables and report suspicious people.
    22. present: Readers are told to take valuables with them, keep doors locked, register laptops, and report tailgaters.
    23. present: Advice includes keeping doors and windows locked, taking portable valuables along, and registering laptops.
    24. present: It urges readers to keep doors and windows locked, remove valuables, register laptops, and report suspicious people.
    25. present: Readers are told to lock doors and windows, remove portable valuables, report tailgaters, and call MIT Police.
  • Timepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Present, 25 of 25. The intrusions are bracketed "between Friday, August 4, 2018 and Tuesday, August 7, 2018", with clock times such as "3:45 PM on Friday" and "8:00 AM".

    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 brackets the intrusions "between Friday, August 4, 2018 and Tuesday, August 7, 2018" with clock times.
    2. present: Precise dates and times appear, such as "Tuesday, August 7, 2018, at 8:00 AM".
    3. present: Covers "Friday, August 4, 2018 and Tuesday, August 7, 2018" with specific hours like 8:00 AM.
    4. present: Dates and times are specific, "between Friday, August 4, 2018 and Tuesday, August 7, 2018" with clock times.
    5. present: It dates the intrusions "between Friday, August 4, 2018 and Tuesday, August 7, 2018" with clock times.
    6. present: It dates the intrusions "between Friday, August 4, 2018 and Tuesday, August 7, 2018" with clock times.
    7. present: It dates the intrusions "between Friday, August 4, 2018 and Tuesday, August 7, 2018" with clock times.
    8. present: It dates the intrusions "between Friday, August 4, 2018 and Tuesday, August 7, 2018" with clock times.
    9. present: It gives the span "between Friday, August 4, 2018 and Tuesday, August 7, 2018" with clock times.
    10. present: The intrusions are dated "between Friday, August 4, 2018 and Tuesday, August 7, 2018" with clock times.
    11. present: Brackets the intrusions "between Friday, August 4, 2018 and Tuesday, August 7, 2018" with clock times.
    12. present: Dates and clock times are given, including "Tuesday, August 7, 2018, at 8:00 AM" and a Friday 3:45 PM start.
    13. present: It brackets the intrusions "between Friday, August 4, 2018 and Tuesday, August 7, 2018" with clock times.
    14. present: Dates and times are given, such as "between Friday, August 4, 2018 and Tuesday, August 7, 2018".
    15. present: Dates the intrusions "between Friday, August 4, 2018 and Tuesday, August 7, 2018" with clock times.
    16. present: Dates and clock times are given, from "Friday, August 4, 2018" through "August 7, 2018, at 8:00 AM".
    17. present: Dates and hours frame the thefts, "between Friday, August 4, 2018 and Tuesday, August 7, 2018".
    18. present: Dates run from "Friday, August 4, 2018" to "Tuesday, August 7, 2018, at 8:00 AM".
    19. present: Dates and clock times are given, including August 4 to August 7, 2018 and 8:00 AM Tuesday.
    20. present: It covers "between Friday, August 4, 2018 and Tuesday, August 7, 2018" with specific clock times.
    21. present: Dates are supplied, from "Friday, August 4, 2018" to "Tuesday, August 7, 2018, at 8:00 AM".
    22. present: Dates and hours abound, such as "between Friday, August 4, 2018 and Tuesday, August 7, 2018".
    23. present: It gives the span "between Friday, August 4, 2018 and Tuesday, August 7, 2018" with hour level detail.
    24. present: Dates and clock times frame both intrusions, from "Friday, August 4, 2018" to "Tuesday, August 7, 2018, at 8:00 AM".
    25. present: Dates and hours are detailed, from "3:45 PM on Friday" through "Tuesday, August 7, 2018, at 8:00 AM".
  • Impactabsent0/25

    Final assessment

    Absent, 0 of 25. Even the telling detail that "There were no signs of forced entry" carries no statement of danger or severity; only the missing equipment is described.

    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: The notice records what was taken but makes no claim about danger or how serious the risk is.
    2. absent: Only stolen equipment is described, with no danger or severity conveyed to readers.
    3. absent: The swap of a computer and loss of a track pad are reported without any severity claim.
    4. absent: The account of repeated intrusions carries no statement of danger or how serious the situation is.
    5. absent: The stolen and swapped equipment is described without any statement of danger or how serious the risk is.
    6. absent: Two thefts are described, but nothing states what harm or danger could result.
    7. absent: Only stolen property is described, without any assertion of risk or seriousness to the community.
    8. absent: Stolen computer equipment is listed, but no danger or severity to people is expressed.
    9. absent: Only stolen equipment is described; there is no claim of danger or seriousness.
    10. absent: Only stolen equipment is described; the notice states no danger or severity for readers.
    11. absent: Only equipment losses are described; nothing conveys danger or how serious the threat is.
    12. absent: Equipment losses are described without any statement of danger or how serious the intrusions are.
    13. absent: The consequence given is stolen equipment; no danger or severity to persons is described.
    14. absent: Repeat intrusions are described but the text never says what danger or harm results.
    15. absent: The notice describes stolen equipment but makes no claim about danger or how serious this is.
    16. absent: Stolen equipment is listed, but the notice never says what harm could result.
    17. absent: The account lists what was taken but never says how serious or threatening this is.
    18. absent: The theft of a trackpad and a computer is recounted without any statement of danger or seriousness.
    19. absent: Only stolen equipment is described; no danger or severity is asserted for the community.
    20. absent: Repeated entry into a locked office is described, yet no danger or severity to people is stated.
    21. absent: Thefts are itemized with no expression of danger or how serious the risk is.
    22. absent: The message stays with property loss and offers no statement of danger or seriousness.
    23. absent: A track pad and a desktop computer were taken, yet no danger or gravity for readers is asserted.
    24. absent: Stolen equipment is described, but no danger or degree of seriousness is stated for the community.
    25. absent: The thefts and swapped computer are reported as facts, without any statement of danger or severity.

Coded by Claude Opus 5

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

About this analysis
Context

Background

MIT Police publishes Clery timely warnings and crime alerts at police.mit.edu/crime-alert with full incident narrative, safety guidance, and issuer attribution. This entry is from residual archive recovery for Two Burglaries at Building 4.
Analysis

Key Findings

Official MIT Police crime-alert page preserves complete timely-warning narrative text.
Outcome
MIT Police investigation status as stated in the official crime alert.
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
    Two Burglaries at Building 4 | MIT Police
    police.mit.edu
    archived copy
Cite this case

Campus Alert Archive. "Massachusetts Institute of Technology: Two Burglaries at Building 4." Incident of August 8, 2018. Added July 2026. https://campusalertarchive.com/case/mit-two-burglaries-building-4-2018-08-08/

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

Tags
mitmassachusetts-institute-of-technologytimely-warningburglarycrime-alertUnder Investigation
Added July 2026Updated July 2026Via ingestion