Students: beware a scam

By: Courier Staff
Collective Body

 On Saturday, Sept. 23, three suspects were detained by Monmouth College security and were handed over to Monmouth police. These suspects were linked to a scam, thefts around campus and unlawful entry.

The scam was perpetrated under the guise of magazine sales. These suspects knocked on several students’ doors and attempted to sell magazines, claiming they needed the funds to travel to Europe. Jenna Buechel said, “They said they were raising the money to go to Europe.”

Another source commented that the suspects were extremely forceful when they approached students. The suspects donned Monmouth College apparel and claimed they were representing the Monmouth College Department of Communications.

According to some unnamed college employees, the three suspects made their way through several dorms. These dorms included McMichael, Liedman and Cleland.

The suspects were also accused of entering unlocked rooms, rummaging through students’ personal belongings and even taking some objects. According to junior Nikki Wasilewski, “Our door was unlocked and they walked right in. I only saw two and they were both males.” Wasilewski went on to comment, “I had nothing missing. Nothing can be done, in my case, because I don’t have anything missing.”

According to Wasilewski, neither the Monmouth police department nor Monmouth College is doing anything to aid the students who were affected. As for advice, Wasilewski said, “Lock your doors, and if you ordered the magazines, cancel the order and try to get your money refunded.”

Lynsay Ryan, another victim said, “They took 40 to 45 dollars and a check out of my purse.” Currently, Ryan is keeping in contact with the Monmouth police hoping that somehow she will be able get her money.

Ryan’s roommate, Michelle Girten, was also able to identify the suspects. She said, “They were both males, one had two gold teeth.” Girten also said she was only out of her room for 15 minutes, and it was during that time the criminals hit.

Girten said, “They messed up my desk and left a Mountain Dew bottle on my desk… The one guy admitted to coming in my room without me there and leaving it on my desk, because he went in there to ‘throw it away.’”

Despite the evidence and eye-witness reports, the three detained suspects were released promptly by the Monmouth police. Nothing is currently being done to help the victims. Rumors of similar scams at neighboring colleges have also spread throughout Monmouth College.

Rumors have been circulating campus regarding the possibility that those suspected in the scam have prior charges of felony on their records. Reporters from “The Courier” were told by officials at the Monmouth police department that a Freedom of Information Act request would need to be filed, along with a fee of $5, to get anymore information on their investigation of these incidents.

Several students on campus have a renewed sense of confidence in the Per Mar security guards employed by the college who did all they could to track down information regarding the incident, detain and question the supposed criminals. The same students feel that the Monmouth police department dropped the ball in this given situation.