Police Arrest Intruder In Dorm

Justin Russo, 22, of Revere, Mass., was arrested Friday afternoon on charges of trespassing and breaking and entering at 10 DeWolfe St, an undergraduate housing complex.

At about 3 p.m. on Friday, Harvard University Police Department (HUPD) officers responded to a call from 10 DeWolfe about a suspicious man trying to gain entry into student rooms.

Arielle R. Nagler ’07, who said she called HUPD, said that she was walking out of her room when she saw a white male with facial hair, an eyebrow earring and buzz cut standing outside her door with his hand on the handle.

She said he asked her if she knew a “Mike Dupont,” and when Nagler said no, he proceeded to knock on her blockmate’s door.

Nagler, whose blockmate is female, said she told him that no males lived in that apartment.

“He looked older than a college student,” Nagler said. “He made me feel uncomfortable, but he wasn’t threatening.”

As soon as she saw him walk downstairs, Nagler said she went back to her room and called HUPD.

Catalano said that after HUPD officers obtained a description of the suspicious person from one resident of 10 DeWolfe, they began a search of the building. He said that police officers located the male on the third floor, stopped him, questioned him and determined that he was not connected with the University. The man was then placed under arrest for trespassing, Catalano said.

Raffael P. DeLuca ’07, who lives on the third floor, said he heard someone knocking for a while, and when he walked to open the door a man entered and asked for a “Joe Smith.” When DeLuca told the stranger that no one by that name lived in his apartment, the man said, “Oh, shoot” and left, said DeLuca.

“He seemed kind of scared,” said DeLuca, who did not report the incident to the police. “I heard him knocking on other doors, but I thought he was looking for a friend, so I didn’t think much of it.”

Nagler said she reported the incident because of previous thefts at 10 DeWolfe. On Oct. 23, there were two reported thefts at 10 DeWolfe, according to the daily police log.

“There had been a robbery before and I probably wouldn’t have called the police if I wasn’t thinking about the robbery,” Nagler said.

Catalano said that HUPD constantly encourages students to report suspicious activity.

“On Friday afternoon, one of the residents of 10 DeWolfe St. followed our advice and we commend their actions. If we did not receive that call, most likely we would have not been able to effect an arrest in a timely manner,” Catalano said.

Students can reach HUPD by calling 617-495-1212.