Miami University

Three to be recognized for assisting Police

12/08/1997

OXFORD, Ohio -- Three men, two of them Miami University

students, will receive a Community Policing Commendation from the university

along with a special award donated by the Shriver Center bookstore for

reporting a theft in progress at Wells Hall Sunday, Nov. 23.

Derek Johnson, a Miami student, and his friend, Ryan Deshazer, noticed two men

behaving suspiciously in the area of Johnson's off-campus house shortly after 5

a.m.

They saw the two men get into a dark red van and drive away. Johnson and

Deshazer were joined by another Miami student, Anthony Pollizee.

The three followed the van to Wells Hall, where it was parked in the service

drive with its engine running. They parked their car and walked over to the

van, where they observed the two men breaking into the building. They also saw

what turned out to be stolen property already inside the van.

Johnson saw an Oxford police officer writing a parking ticket nearby. He

informed the officer of what he had seen. The city officer promptly radioed

university police to respond.

University police found the two men loading furniture from Wells Hall into the

van.

"The witnesses' actions in this case clearly illustrate a basic principle of

community policing," Sgt. Andrew Powers, community relations manager with the

Miami University police, said. "Private citizens working with police can be

the most effective tool in the effort to protect the people and property of our

community."