Police arrest suspect in recent string of thefts

University Police last Thursday arrested a man believed to be responsible for more than 50 recent on-campus backpack and wallet thefts, as well as numerous other thefts over the past 10 years, police said. Police arrested Ryan Elam, 27, of the 5900 block of Chester Avenue shortly after noon last Thursday when a student working in Vance Hall's second-floor computer lab noticed that the suspect was carrying nothing when he entered but toted a backpack as he left, University Police Detective Gary Heller explained. While the student confronted Elam -- who allegedly told the student to mind his own business -- others notified security guards, who in turn called police. Officer Marvin Jones arrested Elam on the scene, Heller said. Elam is currently in custody at the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility in Northeast Philadelphia, Detective Jane Curry said. Philadelphia Police would not release Elam's bail, and University Police detectives did not know the results of a court hearing yesterday, when a judge should have set the suspect's bail. "[Elam] has a history with our department going back about 10 years," Heller said, noting that the suspect "specializes" in pickpocketing and swiping unattended backpacks. "We believe he's responsible for the majority of thefts that occur in computer labs and in Van Pelt Library." Heller called Elam a "professional" thief who often took advantage of the moments when students left backpacks unattended or in a place where they were not visible, such as behind a chair. "He knows what students' habits are," Heller said. "He goes out and actively seeks out people who aren't paying attention to where their property is located." Heller added that University Police issued Elam a citation in February for trespassing inside a University building. Because Elam was not carrying any property that could be identified as stolen, police could not make an arrest, even though he had "several prior arrests for this type of behavior." Van Pelt Library Operational Services Manager Charles Jenkins, who oversees library security, said he was pleased with the arrest but cautioned students against letting down their guard. "If he's the one who's doing it, it will be a plus for our security, because we definitely don't want this guy around if he's stealing," he said. Jenkins added that students should take their belongings or enlist a trusted friend to watch their property if they leave the area where they are working. Heller voiced similar concerns, noting that security at many University buildings -- including Van Pelt Library -- is lax during the day. "If you walked [into Van Pelt Library] with a photo license that said, 'Yogi Bear', they would take it," he said. Several students working yesterday in the Towne Building's mezzanine and basement computer labs said they felt safe leaving their belongings unattended, while others said students should be more careful. "They tell you to watch your stuff, but I guess most people don't," Engineering sophomore Vesal Dini said. And a first-year Wharton graduate student working in the Vance Hall computer lab said she takes precautions to ensure that no one steals her property. "I've heard of this problem, and that's why my bag is wedged between my feet," said the student, who asked to remain anonymous.

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