MUNCIE, Ind. – A Ball State University custodian foiled a burglary attempt of the Bursar’s Office in Lucina Hall on Friday, March 24.

Ball State police report that Ronnie Hill interrupted an attempted burglary at 11:30 p.m. as he was preparing to leave Lucina Hall.

Police said the suspect drew a gun, pointed it at Hill, directed him to get on the floor and not to look. The burglar then bound Hill’s hands behind his back with his belt and fled the area. After a short time, Hill freed himself and drove to university police headquarters.

Hill, who was not injured, was not able to provide detailed information about the suspect other than he was an adult white male armed with a silver colored, large caliber semi-automatic pistol.

Police said the burglar had been at work for some time, cutting a hole in the wall and into the office between wall studs. From the hole in the wall, the burglar unsuccessfully attempted to cut into a safe.

It appears that the intruder knew the physical layout of the bursar’s office. The office’s alarm system was engaged and would have been set off had the intruder made further entry into the area.

A member of the Bursar’s Office was called to the scene to verify that there was no loss. The Ball State police department is conducting the investigation and contacted the Indiana State Police for assistance with analysis of the damage to the safe. There are no significant leads, police said.

By Marc Ransford, Communications Manager

(NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information, contact Robert Fey, assistant police chief, at (765) 285-1210.)