On Feb 1 a VES concentrator had his camcorder stolen from an unlocked cabinet in the basement of Sever Hall.

On Feb. 4 around 60 of Harvard's finest were officially deputized as deputy sheriffs of Middlesex County.

The sheriff, James DiPaulo, swore in the officers at an unofficial ceremony at the headquarters of the Harvard University Police Department (HUPD).

In addition to their HUPD powers, the officers will receive limited police authority throughout the country.

The sheriff's office, largely a holdover from the region's colonial past, enforces order in the country-wide police operations.

A Cambridge man was arrested Jan. 27 after police chased him through the Cambridgeport area of the city.

Officers said that a car failed to stop for a stop sign on Valentine Road. When they attempted to pull the car over, the driver sped up.

Blocks later, the man bolted from his car, and tried to escape from police on foot, the officers reported.

After checking the license plate of the vehicle, they discovered it had been stolen.

Police soon arrested Cantabrigian Andrew V. Walters.

On Jan. 27 in a version of a so-called "flim-flam" robbery, a Lock

Street resident reported that an unknown maleasked her to wire $4,500 to Reedley, California onFeb. 27. He allegedly promised her a share of$525,000 in sweepstakes winnings after completionof the transfer.

On Feb. 2, a Cambridge resident told policethat while he was asking a clerk about buying acamera at Orius Fan in the Cambridgeside Galleria,another male in the store accused him of stealingit and punched him in the face.

On Feb. 3., Cambridge police arrested JonBaptiste, 46, of Allston, at the corner of Brattleand Church Streets in the Square.

Baptiste has been charged on an outstandingrape warrant.

The month of January saw four armed robberiesaround Central Square.

Police say the last two may be related. Oneoccurred on Green & Hancock Streets on Jan. 17,and the other at 854 Mass. Ave. on Jan. 23.

Both involved two suspects, one of whom had agun.

Police were not able to provide descriptions ofthe suspects