University Police (UP) arrested USF graduate student Christopher Wright on Thursday at Cypress C Residence Hall on charges of burglary and preventing extinguishment of fire, according to a police report.
UP spokeswoman Lt. Meg Ross said both charges are considered felonies.
While reporting to a fire alarm at Cypress C Residence Hall shortly after 6 a.m. Thursday, a UP officer, Residence Life Coordinator Lindsey Hurst and Resident Assistant Xavier Muniz saw Wright leaving Muniz’s room holding scissors, according to the report.
Wright stated in the report that he retrieved scissors and cut the wires to the fire-alarm panel in Muniz’s room because the alarm was sounding.
The report said Wright entered Muniz’s room without permission.
Ross said Wright did not steal anything from Muniz’s room, but burglary charges were made for entering the room without permission and proceeding to tamper with the fire alarm.
Hurst declined to comment until she received permission from her boss, Student Programs Coordinator for Residence Services Gregory Connell.
Connell and Muniz were unavailable for comment.
Wright is being held at Hillsborough County Jail. His bond is set at $4,000.
Wright was arrested five other times on various charges, including trespassing, possession of marijuana, burglary and battery on a law enforcement officer.
