Borough Police arrest local man for repeated trespassing

Harrison Ongwenyi was arrested on charges of criminal trespassing at the Graduate College at 2:20 a.m. yesterday.

According to Public Safety Crime Prevention Specialist Barry Weiser, Public Safety officers allegedly found Ongwenyi sleeping in the television room when they were patrolling the area.

Ongwenyi, 27, was taken to Borough Police headquarters for processing and later released on his own recognizance.

According to police, Ongwenyi had been warned twice previously to stay off campus. On Nov. 2, Public Safety received a report of a suspicious person at the Graduate College. Officers found Ongwenyi sleeping in the TV room on that occasion as well, Weiser said.

Before escorting Ongwenyi off campus for alleged trespassing, Public Safety called Borough Police to determine if he was wanted for any crimes, a practice that is standard protocol.

Borough Police had an outstanding warrant from North Brunswick for Ongwenyi's arrest, issued for receipt of stolen property and contempt of court, Weiser said.

During the Nov. 2 incident, Weiser said Ongwenyi allegedly lied about his identity several times and tried to pretend he was a graduate student before producing genuine identification.

At that time, Public Safety issued Ongwenyi a field inquiry card, which indicates he is no longer welcome on campus. FICs usually last for six months, Weiser said, after which time the person is allowed on campus as long as he has not caused further trouble.

A second incident occurred at the Graduate College on Nov. 18 about 1 a.m., when Public Safety officers found Ongwenyi in the basement of the building. He had been attempting to enter the D-Bar and already had been asked to leave the premises, Weiser said.

Ongwenyi was arrested for defiant trespassing and transported to Borough Police for processing. He was later released on his own recognizance.

Weiser said it is likely Public Safety will ask that Ongwenyi be listed as a "persona non grata."

Weiser said the student life office sometimes assigns this designation by issuing a legal paper in conjunction with Public Safety to indicate "a person is no longer welcome on campus."