You’re reading a story from Sidelines 100, a project showcasing a century of student storytelling at Middle Tennessee State University. Sidelines 100 plans to highlight 100 stories from the newspaper archives this fall and spring.

This story originally ran in the Jan. 29, 2001, edition of Sidelines. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay on top of all things Sidelines 100.

The story has been updated for current basic AP style, but the wording in the story has not changed. Any ideas, perspectives or opinions do not necessarily reflect those of Sidelines.

MTSU police arrested two students Thursday for their alleged involvement in a November dorm burglary in which nearly $4,500 worth of property was stolen.

The arrests culminate a months-long investigation, bringing the total number of suspects now charged in connection with the incident to four.

Christopher G. Martin, 21, of 4414 Woodmore Place in Chattanooga, Tenn.; and Michael D. White, 22, of 2709 Citico Ave. in Chattanooga, Tenn., were each each charged Thursday with two counts of aggravated burglary.

The arrests followed a search of the Nicks Hall room shared by both individuals. Electronic equipment was found that matched both the make and model number of items taken in the burglary, according to MTSU Police Lt. Darrell Collins.

Police did have a search warrant, Collins added, but White gave officers permission to search the room.

White was arrested subsequent to the search. Martin turned himself in to the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office later that day.

The Nov. 2000, burglary to another Nicks Hall dorm room resulted in $4,455 worth of property being stolen. Among the items taken were a 25-inch television, a VCR, a portable telephone, a Compaq computer system, a stereo receiver and a Sony PlayStation.

The two individuals were previously arrested in connection with the burglary, according to Collins.

“A Crime Stoppers tip came in, and out of that two arrests were made,” Collins said. “One was a female student. The other was a male non-student.”

Rachel Baldwin, 18, of 814 Shade Bluff Trail in Clarksville, Tenn.; and Gary E. “Nutt” Alexander Jr., 21, of 112 Greenwood Lane in Oak Ridge, Tenn., were both arrested in December.

Baldwin is charged with one count of misdemeanor theft and one count of felony theft. Alexander faces two counts of aggravated burglary and a charge of criminal impersonation.

An ongoing investigation led police to develop Martin and White as additional suspects, Collins said.

So far $3,000 worth of property has been recovered. Collins believes it is unlikely that the remaining property will be found because the items may have already been sold to paw shops or disposed of by other means.

In addition to their arrests, both Martin and White face the possibility of university sanctions.

“The resulting action could be a temporary or permanent removal [from the university],” said Gene Fitch, associate dean of Student Life. “Minimally, I would think they would be looking at being removed from campus housing.”

The university always looks at the individual circumstances surrounding a situation, and this case will be no different, Finch said.

“It doesn’t make sense to leave someone on campus who is stealing from other students,” Fitch added.

Martin and White are both due to appear in Rutherford Court March 7. Alexander is scheduled to appear before the same court April 4.

Baldwin had her first court appearance last Wednesday, but court officials were unable to advise about the outcome of her hearing at press time.