Andrew Michael Carolus, an HSU student in 2006 who did not graduate, was charged with felony burglary and possession of stolen property shortly after UPD Officer John Packer encountered him behind the Natural Resources building at about 7:30 a.m. Carolus, who has no current relationship to the university, gave an allegedly suspicious story about why he was on foot behind the building, but there was not enough probable cause to arrest him there. He was identified and released, according to UPD.
Officers proceeded to check nearby buildings, and discovered the burglarizing of the Schmidt House, where computer equipment and other property had been removed. Officers suspect Carolus was ferrying property from the Schmidt House to a nearby vehicle when he was first discovered.
UPD and Arcata police officers expanded their search of the campus and surrounding streets, and relocated Carolus and a female companion, 28-year-old Sara Jean Martin of Oregon, in a parked vehicle in the 1200 block of Union Street. Carolus and Martin were taken into custody without incident and no weapons were involved. Property believed to have been stolen from the Schmidt House was found in the vehicle and recovered by UPD.
Martin was booked at the Humboldt County Correctional Facility for an outstanding warrant. Her alleged involvement in Sunday’s burglary is still being evaluated. UPD collected a large quantity of evidence and is continuing to investigate, but it appears Carolus is the primary suspect in the break-in. He remained in custody as of Sunday night.
UPD was assisted by the Arcata Police Department and the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Department.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact UPD at 826-5555 or hsupd@humboldt.edu.