Police Apprehend Olin Laptop Thief

Kelsey McBean, the son of Tompkins County legislator Leslyn McBean-Clairborne (D-1st Ward), was arrested Wednesday for attempting to steal a laptop from Olin Library, according to the Cornell University Police crime log. At 5:35 p.m. Tuesday, McBean sprinted from the library with the stolen laptop, entering McGraw clock tower. According to one witness, he was seen carrying a knife. Police removed McBean from the tower approximately 20 minutes later and he was referred to Ithaca City Court, according to the crime log. Legislator McBean-Clairborne is the director of the Greater Ithaca Activities Center.

Male Attempts to Steal Olin Laptop, Flees to Clock Tower

A young male was reportedly seen stealing a laptop in Olin Library before running from the building at approximately 5:35 p.m. Tuesday. Several people pursued him, and a witness at the scene shouted that he had stolen a laptop. Another witness was heard yelling, “He has a knife!”
After sprinting out of Olin Library, the man ran into the entrance of the McGraw clock tower. Approximately two minutes after entering, blocked from leaving, the man retreated further up the tower. Cornell University Police arrived at the scene at 5:40 p.m. and escorted the man from the building at approximately 5:55 p.m. Police took statements from several witnesses at the scene.