College Park, MD – On August 30, 2026, the University of Maryland Police Department (UMPD) responded to South Campus Commons #3 to investigate three residential burglaries. A UMD Safety Notice was sent, that included a link to photos of persons of interest.
After the release of the email, we received numerous tips from our community and two additional reports of residential burglaries and one report of an other incident, that our investigators verified were connected to the persons of interest.
Shortly thereafter, our Criminal Investigations Unit identified the persons of interest as Tyler Alexander Butler and Amir Christian Short.
On September 3, 2026, our detective applied for charges. Both were charged via a criminal summons and they are both charged with the following:
Five counts of CR 6-205(a) 4th Degree Burglary
Five counts of Common Law Conspiracy to Commit Burglary
Two counts of CR 6-402 Trespass on Posted Property
Below are brief details for the three additional reports that UMPD received.
2026-234370
On August 30, 2026, at approximately 5:39 p.m., UMPD responded to the third floor of South Campus Commons #3 for a burglary.
A resident (student) left her residence on August 29, 2026, at approximately 11 p.m. The resident returned to her residence on August 30, 2026, at approximately 4:30 a.m., and found water on the floor and her property missing.
2026-234509
On August 30, 2026, at approximately 11:58 p.m., UMPD responded to fifth floor of Denton Hall for a burglary.
The two residents (students) were sleeping, when one of the residents woke up to the door being opened to their room. A resident saw a man open the door and another man in the hallway. The man who opened the door tried to engage in conversation, but the resident got up and closed the door.
2026-234377
On August 30, 2026, at approximately 6:19 p.m., UMPD responded to the first floor of Denton Hall for an other incident report.
A resident (student) reported to police that at approximately 5 a.m., on August 30, 2026, she heard persistent loud knocking on her door. She opened the door and saw two men. They engaged in a brief conversation and then the men left.
Thank you to the community. The rapid identification of the two persons of interest would not have been possible without your assistance.
A safe campus is a team effort between the police and the community. It is a shared goal that is only achievable when we are all doing our part. We remind our community to continue to be aware of your surroundings, be a safe Terp by engaging in crime prevention efforts, and if you see something, say something! Report suspicious activity as soon as possible to police.
For questions regarding this press release, please contact the Public Information Officer, Lt. Rosanne Hoaas at 301-405-9960 or email rhoaas@umpd.umd.edu .
After the release of the email, we received numerous tips from our community and two additional reports of residential burglaries and one report of an other incident, that our investigators verified were connected to the persons of interest.
Shortly thereafter, our Criminal Investigations Unit identified the persons of interest as Tyler Alexander Butler and Amir Christian Short.
On September 3, 2026, our detective applied for charges. Both were charged via a criminal summons and they are both charged with the following:
Five counts of CR 6-205(a) 4th Degree Burglary
Five counts of Common Law Conspiracy to Commit Burglary
Two counts of CR 6-402 Trespass on Posted Property
Below are brief details for the three additional reports that UMPD received.
2026-234370
On August 30, 2026, at approximately 5:39 p.m., UMPD responded to the third floor of South Campus Commons #3 for a burglary.
A resident (student) left her residence on August 29, 2026, at approximately 11 p.m. The resident returned to her residence on August 30, 2026, at approximately 4:30 a.m., and found water on the floor and her property missing.
2026-234509
On August 30, 2026, at approximately 11:58 p.m., UMPD responded to fifth floor of Denton Hall for a burglary.
The two residents (students) were sleeping, when one of the residents woke up to the door being opened to their room. A resident saw a man open the door and another man in the hallway. The man who opened the door tried to engage in conversation, but the resident got up and closed the door.
2026-234377
On August 30, 2026, at approximately 6:19 p.m., UMPD responded to the first floor of Denton Hall for an other incident report.
A resident (student) reported to police that at approximately 5 a.m., on August 30, 2026, she heard persistent loud knocking on her door. She opened the door and saw two men. They engaged in a brief conversation and then the men left.
Thank you to the community. The rapid identification of the two persons of interest would not have been possible without your assistance.
A safe campus is a team effort between the police and the community. It is a shared goal that is only achievable when we are all doing our part. We remind our community to continue to be aware of your surroundings, be a safe Terp by engaging in crime prevention efforts, and if you see something, say something! Report suspicious activity as soon as possible to police.
For questions regarding this press release, please contact the Public Information Officer, Lt. Rosanne Hoaas at 301-405-9960 or email rhoaas@umpd.umd.edu .