Man Arrested In Old Leverett

Harvard University Police Department (HUPD) officers arrested a 36-year-old male who entered Leverett House without authorization at 1:30 am yesterday morning, but it remains unclear whether or not the event has any connection to the thefts in the House last week, HUPD spokesperson Steven G. Catalano said.

Craig Rush of Somerville, Mass., was charged with trespassing and breaking and entering in the night with the intent to commit a felony, Catalano said.

According to Catalano, Rush piggybacked into Old Leverett as four Harvard students exited.

The students flagged down two officers in front of the building, explaining that they felt that Rush did not belong in the House.

The officers entered Leverett after obtaining Rush’s description from the students.

After a brief search, the officers found Rush walking toward the Leverett basement.

Rush was arrested at 1:30 a.m. after he failed to produce evidence of affiliation with Harvard.

Yesterday’s arrest marked the second instance of alleged criminal activity in Leverett in a one-week span.

Last Wednesday, electronics and jewelry were stolen from four residents in Leverett’s F Tower.

Catalano said last week’s thefts are still under investigation and that no determination has been made as to whether yesterday’s arrest was related to the thefts.

Following the thefts, Leverett House Superintendent Paul J. Hegarty sent an e-mail over the Leverett Open list reminding students to call HUPD if they saw anyone suspicious in the building and to lock their doors.

Hegarty said he was pleased that students took action yesterday when they noticed a suspicious individual.

“It’s great that there was someone aware in the building. In the past, students haven’t taken the initiative,” Hegarty said. “Sometimes, it takes something bad to happen for something good to happen. We had a lot stolen last week, and people’s awareness has changed.”

Catalano also praised the students for alerting the police to Rush’s presence.

“In the wake of last week’s incidents—when a person saw the offender and didn’t call us—this is a prime example of community members acting appropriately,” Catalano said.

Leverett House Committee (HoCo) co-chair Michael B. Firestone ’05 said students should stay vigilant.

“The small inconvenience of asking people who they’re visiting is worth it compared to the damage those people can cause,” Firestone said.

He added that the HoCo may discuss Leverett security following the two alleged criminal incidents.

—Hana R. Alberts contributed to the reporting of this story.

—Staff writer Alan J. Tabak can be reached at tabak@fas.harvard.edu.