1/24/23
A U. of I. student reported that someone entered his unlocked apartment between 9 p.m. Friday and 3 a.m. Saturday in the 300 block of East Green Street, Champaign. The offender stole several video gaming devices with a total estimated value of $720.
A U. of I. student reported that a package had been stolen between noon and 12:30 p.m. Monday after it was delivered to the mail area of his apartment building in the 500 block of East Springfield Avenue, Champaign. The package has an estimated value of $300.
A U. of I. student reported Monday that her bicycle had been stolen between Nov. 17-29 outside the Illini Union, 1401 W. Green St., Urbana. The bicycle, which has an estimated value of $100, was locked to a rack.*
Ronald J. Bufkin, 29, of Champaign, was arrested at 1:28 a.m. Monday at the U. of I. Public Safety Building, 1110 W. Springfield Ave., Urbana, for driving under the influence of alcohol, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, disobeying a stop sign and illegal transportation of alcohol. Bufkin’s vehicle initially was stopped near Fourth and Chalmers streets, Champaign, because he disobeyed a stop sign. An officer noticed a loaded handgun tucked into Bufkin’s waistband when he exited the vehicle to complete a sobriety test. Police recovered a second loaded handgun in the vehicle. Bufkin has a Firearm Owner’s Identification but not a concealed carry permit. Police transported Bufkin to the Public Safety Building to complete the impaired driving investigation.
A U. of I. student reported that his cellphone had been stolen between 3-11 a.m. Sunday after an apartment party in the 1000 block of South Locust Street, Champaign. GPS tracking information showed that the $1,100 cellphone had been taken to another apartment several blocks away.
A U. of I. student reported that someone entered his unlocked apartment between 9 p.m. Saturday and 1:52 a.m. Sunday in the 1000 block of South First Street, Champaign. The offender stole a laptop computer, television and golf clubs. Using GPS tracking information, the student later found the computer discarded beside a road near Smith and Country Squire drives, Urbana. The estimated value of the remaining missing items is $1,000.
A U. of I. student reported that another U. of I. student lunged at her but did not make physical contact around 1:43 a.m. Saturday in the 700 block of South Goodwin Avenue, Urbana. The students involved are acquainted with each other, and the offender has a history of aggression toward the victim.
At 3:10 p.m. Friday at the U. of I. Public Safety Building, 1110 W. Springfield Ave., Urbana, Wenqiang Bian, 31, of Champaign, was issued a state of Illinois notice to appear in court for forgery. Police initially were called Nov. 16 by a manager of Tiger Sugar, 509 E. Green St., Champaign, who alleged that Bian, a former employee, had changed the details on his final paycheck and cashed it for $8,182 more than the actual amount.
*Bicycle owners can reduce the risk of theft. Resources on properly locking bicycles on campus can be found on the Campus Recreation website’s Bike Parking page.
Please note: Those arrested are presumed innocent until proved guilty, and formal charges may change as cases are adjudicated. For more information about the incidents listed here, please contact the U. of I. Police Department at 217-333-1216 or .