La Crosse Police investigating thefts, batteries as students back on campus

La Crosse Police are investigating a series of batteries that took place early Monday morning near the college housing area.

A group of three or four black males with thin builds, thought to be in their 20s were involved in all three incidents, according to a press release.

La Crosse Police Sergeant Tom Walsh said when walking at night, numbers and light are your friends.

“Try and make sure that you’re with at least one other person and try, if at all possible, and stay on those well lit corridors and let people know where you’re at and where you’re coming from,” Walsh said.

It’s not clear which campus housing area the release was referring but police said it will have extra presence around this weekend.

Along with Monday’s batteries, Walsh said thefts to cars and houses have increased in La Crosse over the past month.

Several occurred last weekend, as college students returned to the area to begin the school year.

Walsh said many occur with the offender simply walking in.

“We need to make sure we’re keeping our residences secured when we’re not there,” he said. “Our college students really don’t like doing that for fear they’ll lock their roommates out.”

Walsh recommends taking pictures of serial numbers in case they turn up at pawn shops.