{
  "id": "2026-03-21-columbia-university-package-thefts-111-112",
  "slug": "columbia-university-package-thefts-111-112-2026-03-21",
  "institution": {
    "name": "Columbia University",
    "shortName": "Columbia",
    "state": "NY",
    "type": "private-r1",
    "alertSystemName": "Columbia Public Safety Clery Alert",
    "enrollment": 33000
  },
  "incident": {
    "date": "2026-03-21",
    "type": "theft",
    "cleryCategory": "timely-warning",
    "resolution": "under-investigation",
    "headline": "Timely warning for package burglaries on West 111th and 112th",
    "headlinePublic": "Timely warning for package burglaries on West 111th and 112th",
    "summary": "Columbia Public Safety [issued Clery Crime Alert W06](https://publicsafety.columbia.edu/sites/publicsafety.columbia.edu/files/content/W06_Clery_Burglary_Package_Theft_535West111thStreetand539West112thStreet_2026_03_21.pdf) for package burglaries on March 21, 2026 at 535 West 111th Street and 539 West 112th Street, with piggybacking and multi-apartment buzzing entry.",
    "outcome": "Same individual believed responsible; Public Safety seeking tips at 212-854-2797."
  },
  "alerts": [
    {
      "sequence": 1,
      "type": "initial",
      "timestampApprox": "March 21, 2026 (Clery Crime Alert W06 posting)",
      "channel": "email",
      "verbatimText": "Clery Crime Alert\nBurglaries/Package Theft\n\nColumbia University Public Safety was recently informed of two Burglaries. The first incident occurred on\nSaturday, March 21st, 2026, at approximately 3:19 p.m., at 535 West 111th Street, and the second\nincident occurred later that day at approximately 3:55 p.m., at 539 West 112th Street.\n\nAll incidents appeared to have been committed by the same individual. A video review shows that the\nindividual gained entry by piggybacking behind tenants and by buzzing multiple apartments until access\nwas granted. Once inside, the individual removed several packages.\n\nThe individual is shown in the photo below.\n\nIf you have any additional information about these incidents, please contact Public Safety at\n212-854-2797.\nHarm Reduction Strategies:\nMake sure the door locks behind you every time you enter or exit a building.\nDo not buzz people into a building unless you know who they are and what they are\ndoing.\nStay informed about delivery statuses and estimated arrival times and try to retrieve\nyour package(s) in a timely manner.\nSign up for free services such as FedEx Delivery Manager® and UPS My\nChoice® or use an Amazon Pick Up Location, such as a locker or local store. Many\nonline retailers allow you to send directly to a local shipping center or retail store\nat check out. Nearby shipping stores with secure delivery options include:\nFedEx Office Ship Center (116th and Broadway)\nUPS Store (115th and Broadway)\nUPS Store (42 Tiemann Place - Between Broadway and Claremont Ave)\n\nDisclaimer: Clery Crime Alerts (Timely Warning Notifications) are distributed pursuant to the\nJeanne Clery Campus Safety Act. Columbia University is required to alert the campus\ncommunity when certain crimes occur in our Clery Act defined campuses that represent a\nserious or continuous threat to the community. For additional information, please visit our Clery\nAct website or email ps-compliance@columbia.edu.",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "confidence": "high",
      "sourceUrl": "https://publicsafety.columbia.edu/sites/publicsafety.columbia.edu/files/content/W06_Clery_Burglary_Package_Theft_535West111thStreetand539West112thStreet_2026_03_21.pdf",
      "sourceDescription": "Columbia Public Safety Clery Crime Alert PDF (W06 Mar 21 2026)",
      "annotations": [
        "PDF text layer ligatures normalized to ASCII, matching W05 capture practice. sha256 c25873cc576d634a8a424d540cdb25b179e4b22423fe6d448e4e534d964e8f65.",
        "Distinct incident from 2026-02-23-columbia-university-package-thefts-112-claremont: different date and 535 W 111 / 539 W 112 vs 523 W 112 / 150 Claremont."
      ],
      "characterCount": 1941
    }
  ],
  "context": "Columbia Public Safety posts Clery Crime Alerts as PDFs. Official product: the [W06 package-burglary warning](https://publicsafety.columbia.edu/sites/publicsafety.columbia.edu/files/content/W06_Clery_Burglary_Package_Theft_535West111thStreetand539West112thStreet_2026_03_21.pdf) for March 21, 2026 near Morningside. The earlier [W05 February 23-24 warning](https://publicsafety.columbia.edu/sites/publicsafety.columbia.edu/files/content/W05_Clery_Burglary_Package_Theft_523West112thStreetand150ClaremontAve_2026_02_23_2026_02_24.pdf) is a distinct series.",
  "keyFindings": [
    "Official PDF lists two timed incidents the same afternoon and piggybacking/buzzing entry."
  ],
  "sources": [
    {
      "title": "Columbia Public Safety Clery Crime Alert PDF (W06 Mar 21 2026)",
      "url": "https://publicsafety.columbia.edu/sites/publicsafety.columbia.edu/files/content/W06_Clery_Burglary_Package_Theft_535West111thStreetand539West112thStreet_2026_03_21.pdf",
      "type": "official-archive",
      "accessDate": "2026-09-20",
      "archiveUrl": null,
      "archiveNotes": "SPN not attempted after 500 flap"
    }
  ],
  "confidence": "high",
  "tags": [
    "private-r1",
    "new-york",
    "columbia",
    "ivy",
    "package-theft",
    "clery"
  ],
  "dateAdded": "2026-09-20",
  "lastUpdated": "2026-09-20",
  "addedBy": "ingestion"
}