Group Chat App Helps UA Students Notify Police of Apartment Burglar
The Tuscaloosa Police Department has arrested a man responsible for multiple burglaries at a student housing complex.
TPD Public Information Officer Stephanie Taylor tells The Tuscaloosa Thread that officers were called to The Hub, located in the 500 Block of Red Drew Avenue, around 3:30 a.m. Tuesday, October 20.
"While officers were en route, dispatchers began to receive multiple 911 calls from residents of the same complex. Callers indicated that the suspect was fleeing the area," Taylor said.
Officers were able to locate the suspect's vehicle and then apprehended him around 3:45 a.m. after a short foot pursuit.
27-year-old Corey Rashadi Ruffins now faces charges of resting arrest in addition to multiple burglary charges. He will be booked into the Tuscaloosa County Jail later this (Tuesday, October 20) morning.
Taylor says students at The Hub were able to alert one another to the possibility of an intruder using a group chat app.
"A total of five male and female victims, who live in separate units, all reported awakening to find the suspect in their bedrooms. They reported that he had rummaged through their belongings and stolen money from their wallets," Taylor said.
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