A car was stolen between Nov. 1 and 2 out of Lot R, a lot recently discovered to be the most “high-risk” on campus based on a Tribune study.

Junior Thomas Mongroven believes his 1991 silver Buick Century was taken sometime during the weekend, but was unaware of the theft until he received a call from his mother last Thursday around noon.

The Chicago Police believed they had found Mongroven’s car in Chicago, and after verifying the car’s license plates they notified Susan Mongroven to inform her of the theft, according to Mongroven.

Susan Mongroven called her son and asked him to check if his car was still parked where he left it, since the Chicago Police believed they had the vehicle in their possession.

Mongroven went to check on the status of his vehicle, and found it missing from where he had parked it at approximately 7 p.m. on Nov. 1.

Mongroven reported the incident Thursday to the Department of Public Safety.

Mongroven said he spoke to the Chicago Police Department about how the car was stolen.

“The suspect got in through the passenger front door by drilling the lock,” Mongroven said.

After gaining entry to the vehicle, the individual drove the vehicle off the premises.

The suspect “started the car by doing some damage to the steering column,” Mongroven said.

In an article published Oct. 30 in the Tribune, Capt. Russ Shaw, associate director of the DPS, commented on the most popular vehicles targeted for theft.

“The hot cars are older General Motors cars because their steering columns are easily removed with a hammer and screwdriver,” Shaw said.

Mongroven said he has parked his car in Lot R since the beginning of the semester and has had no prior problems with vehicle safety.

The vehicle was locked, but did not have a theft deterrent system in place, which is something Mongroven is definitely considering changing, he said.

“If there is anything people can get out of this, make sure you have a Club if you park on campus,” Mongroven said.

The Chicago Police Department apprehended a suspect who is now in custody for attempting to sell the radio that was originally from Mongroven’s stolen vehicle. However, the suspect denies stealing the vehicle from Lot R.

Mongroven is pressing charges against the suspect and an investigation involving Chicago Police Department is still pending.

This incident is the 15th car theft reported by DPS since Jan. 1.

In retrospect, Mongroven feels that a theft deterrent is necessary when parking on campus.

“My next car will have a Club,” Mongroven said.