Timely Warning (24-04)

Clery Crime: Motor Vehicle Theft

Under the Clery Act, the University of Florida issues Timely Warning messages regarding Clery Act crimes which pose a serious and continuing threat to the campus community.

Over the last two weeks, UFPD has seen an increase in thefts of e-bikes and e-scooters, primarily on the east portion of campus. The majority of the stolen e-bikes/e-scooters were taken within 24 to 48 hours of being locked, and some were reported stolen within hours. Most of the thefts involved e-scooters locked with either a cable or combination lock.

UFPD is actively investigating and attempting to deter these types of crimes. On Monday, September 30th, patrol officers recognized a person known to officers for having previously stolen bikes and e-scooters at a bike rack on campus. When approached by officers, he was in possession of tools used to cut cable locks and admitted that he had intended to steal e-scooters. He was arrested and issued a trespass warning.

Anyone with information on these incidents or information about any suspicious activity in the area is encouraged to contact UFPD at (352) 392-1111 or via the UFPD Silent Witness portal at https://police.ufl.edu/contact/silent-witness/.

While these thefts are often crimes of opportunity, we encourage you to take steps to protect your belongings:

E-bikes and e-scooters are easy to steal because they are lightweight and compact. Traditional bicycle cable locks can be cut or tampered with using standard wire cutters, and e-scooters can be lifted through the locking mechanism. UFPD recommends using a metal U-lock to secure these items so that they cannot be lifted through the lock.

UFPD also recommends registering bicycles, e-bikes, and e-scooters in person at the Public Safety Building (1555 Museum Road – Gainesville) or with any UFPD officer on campus.

Lastly, if you are using a tracking device like an Apple AirTag, be sure to place it in a place where it is not easily removed.

Reporting criminal incidents to law enforcement is encouraged by calling 9-1-1 or through the GatorSafe app.

Criminal incidents can also be reported to UF Campus Security Authorities (CSAs), who are designated, trained, and mandatory reporters under the Clery Act when victims choose not to report to law enforcement.

The University of Florida strongly believes that no person is responsible for harm inflicted by another person.

Information for support resources, services and programs at the University of Florida can be found at:
https://clery.compliance.ufl.edu/resources/victim-resources/