U. Police arrest teen after theft The Gap

After a brief pursuit Sunday afternoon, University Police caught a thief running from the Gap with his arms full of merchandise, University Police Sergeant Salotti said yesterday. The thief, a 16-year-old male, entered the store around 3 p.m. and grabbed three sweatshirts and five pairs of jeans. He then fled the scene, police said. University Police officers responded to the call put out over police radio. Salotti said a passerby then told the officers which way the thief had gone. Four officers chased the juvenile down Merivian and Sansom streets near the Italian Bistro, Salotti said. While pursuing him, one officer jumped a chainlink fence and broke a bone in his leg as he landed. Police apprehended the suspect shortly after the officer hurt his leg. The injured police officer is now home and will not be working for about six weeks, Salotti said. Salotti added that he does not believe that this incident has any correlation with other recent Gap thefts. "The [other] gang that has been hitting retail stores usually has a running car waiting outside," Salotti said. "They also have two or four members involved." Police said the Gap has pressed charges against the juvenile. In an unrelated incident, a resident of Hill House reported a theft Monday at 6:11 p.m., University Police said yesterday. Police said that the student complained that his 19-inch television had been stolen sometime between noon and early evening. Police do not currently know whether or not the thief is affiliated with the University. In another unrelated incident, Morgan Building at 200 South 34th Street, was burglarized overnight Sunday, University Police said. The police report stated that a window was broken and a mountain bike was taken from the building. The police do not currently know the identity of the burglar.