‘Prank’ break-in attempt at Theta leads to arrest, high bail

An alleged fraternity prank ended in an arrest of an IU student Friday morning following a break-in attempt at Kappa Alpha Theta sorority.

IU Police Department Chief Keith Cash said IU student Fernando Avila, 21, never made it inside the sorority house but shattered a window in his attempt to steal the sorority’s wall-mounted composite photo of all of its members.

Kappa Alpha Theta President Emily Skowronek heard the house’s alarm go off at about 3 a.m. and called 911.

Because of the early morning hour, she said only about five girls were awake at the time.

Avila was arrested shortly after 3 a.m. Friday by IUPD.

His bond was set at $20,000 — the same bond set in a separate case for a Monroe County resident charged with dealing methamphetamine.
 
By Monday afternoon, the Monroe County Jail confirmed that Avila was no longer in custody.

Cash said that while IUPD hasn’t yet confirmed Avila’s story about the burglary being a fraternity prank, attempts to steal composite photos aren’t unheard of.

“A lot of times over the years, certain people will take those,” he said. “They’re of no value.”

Skowronek said she doesn’t remember any previous attempts to steal Theta’s composite photos.

Their composites are bolted to the wall, she said, which would make it difficult for someone to remove them.

Skowronek said an all-clear email was sent out to house members after the incident.
In light of Friday morning’s events, she said, the sorority has scheduled more events about self-defense and house security.

“We aren’t taking it as a prank, because it was 3 a.m. and there was property damage,” she said. “If it was meant to be a prank, both sides would’ve found it funny. But we do not.”

— Colleen Sikorski