COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) – A Texas A&M University employee is facing criminal charges after he broke into a student’s apartment, according to an arrest report obtained by KBTX.
Jong Wha Chang is an Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Science at the College of Pharmacy.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed by College Station police, in March Chang stole a student’s key, made a copy of it, and broke into her apartment while she was away for Spring Break.
The report says the victim and another student were in Chang’s office on March 5 and briefly walked away to heat their lunch in another room.
While they were gone, police say the 51-year-old went through the student’s tote and stole the key to her apartment.
Later in that same afternoon, police say Chang was seen on surveillance camera going to the student’s apartment, unlocking the door, locking it back, and then leaving.
Chang then texted the student and said he found her key in the parking lot near her car and returned it, said police.
Three days later, Chang is seen on camera again going to the student’s apartment on Harvey Mitchell Parkway, unlocking the door, and entering. He then exited the apartment and locked it before leaving the property.
In their report, police say they have reason to believe Chang made a copy of the student’s key and then returned her original key before the burglary.
The arrest report does not say if anything was taken from inside the apartment but it did say the victim was away at the time on vacation.
On March 21, students at the College of Pharmacy were notified that Chang was placed on leave, according to an email shared with students that was obtained by KBTX.
That was also the same day that Chang was involved in a crash on Highway 6 in which his vehicle hit the back of an 18-wheeler that was parked on the shoulder of the highway, according to multiple sources.
Following his release from the hospital, Chang was arrested on Sunday, May 11, and charged with criminal trespass.
He was released the same day on an $8,000 bond.
Texas A&M University shared the following statement on Wednesday with News 3′s Rusty Surette:
“We want to assure the Texas A&M community that allegations of policy, rule, or legal violations are taken with utmost seriousness and that appropriate measures are being taken to address the situation. The safety of our students, staff and faculty is paramount.”
The cause of the crash was being investigated by Texas DPS.
Copyright 2024 KBTX. All rights reserved.