Staff report
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — October 23, 2023
Indiana University Police arrested two individuals suspected of stealing bicycles near the IU campus on Saturday, thanks to a vigilant passerby who reported the incident. The incident occurred in the 900 block of E. 7th Street, where the suspects were observed cutting bike locks at the Indiana Memorial Union.
According to information obtained from the Indiana University Police Department, dispatch received two separate calls on October 21, 2023, reporting an ongoing bike theft in progress. The concerned callers informed authorities that two individuals were actively cutting bike locks in the area.
Officers responded to the scene, locating two males who matched the descriptions provided by the witnesses. The individuals, identified as Joseph Akers and Nathan Blackburn, were confirmed to have no affiliation with Indiana University. Furthermore, both Akers and Blackburn were found to have active trespass warnings for all IU properties.
After an investigation, the authorities arrested Joseph Akers on charges of Theft (Level 6 Felony), Criminal Trespass (A Misdemeanor), and Possession of Paraphernalia (C Misdemeanor). Meanwhile, Nathan Blackburn was cited for Criminal Trespass (A Misdemeanor) and subsequently released from police custody. Both suspects were issued renewed trespass warnings for all IU properties.
The Indiana University Police Department expressed gratitude for the vigilant bystanders who promptly reported the crime, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in maintaining campus safety. In a statement, they said, “Thank you to the active bystanders who called 911 to report this crime. Concepts like See Something, Say Something, are successful when we all work together to keep campus safe.”
The Bloomington Police Department has been contacted for further information and to determine if there is any correlation between these recent bike thefts and the dozens of bicycles stolen recently in the city.
