Missouri State University Campus Safety is sharing information about an attempted vehicle theft on campus on Tuesday afternoon.

On March 17, 2026, at approximately 4:00 p.m., an individual attempted to steal a pickup truck in Parking Lot 35, located south of McQueary Hall.

The suspect, described as a Black male in his late 20s to early 30s with a thin build and short hair, was reportedly wearing a black jacket, dark-colored pants, and sunglasses. The suspect approached a pickup truck while the owner was standing near the vehicle and attempted to take the vehicle, apparently believing the keys were inside.

The attempt was unsuccessful, and the suspect left the area. It was also reported that the suspect had entered another unlocked vehicle in the same parking lot prior to the attempted theft.

At this time, law enforcement is actively investigating the incident, and the suspect has not yet been identified.

Safety Reminders for the Campus Community:

Incidents like this highlight the importance of taking simple precautions to protect your vehicle and belongings:

• Always lock your vehicle, even if you are stepping away for only a moment.
• Never leave keys inside your vehicle, including in the ignition or console.
• Remove valuables from plain view or store them out of sight or take them with you.
• Be aware of your surroundings when approaching or leaving your vehicle.
• Report suspicious activity immediately to Campus Safety or local law enforcement.

Use the Bear Shield App

Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to download and use the Bear Shield safety app, Missouri State’s official campus safety mobile app. Bear Shield provides several tools designed to enhance personal safety on campus, including:

• One-touch emergency contact with Campus Safety
• Safety timer and virtual escort features
• Direct access to safety resources and reporting options
• Important safety notifications and alerts

Downloading and using the Bear Shield safety app helps Campus Safety communicate important information quickly and provides additional safety tools for members of the campus community.

Campus Safety and local law enforcement continue to work closely together to monitor campus activity and respond quickly to incidents. Community awareness and prompt reporting play an important role in maintaining a safe campus environment.

Anyone who may have witnessed suspicious activity in Lot 35 around the time of the incident is encouraged to contact Campus Safety.

On October 29, 2019, a student reported that their vehicle was broken into and that the ignition was tampered with while parked in Bear Park North, located west of Juanita K Hammons Hall. The vehicle was locked when it was parked on October 29, 2019.

On October 22, 2019, a Missouri State University student reported a motor vehicle theft. The student reported the vehicle was locked in Lot 31, located east of Juanita K Hammons Hall, on October 18, 2019. They returned to their vehicle on the afternoon of October 22, 2019 and found the vehicle missing.

These incidents are being investigated by the Springfield Police Department.

Photos of suspects:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Suspect descriptions

Suspect 1- White male, jeans, black jersey with gold number gray hood, light colored shoes, black backpack

Suspect 2- White male, beard orange hat, jeans, dark shoes, and a dark back pack

Reminder:

Always lock your vehicle

Remove your keys and items of value from your vehicle

Report suspicious activity to University Safety at 417-836-5509

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