By LAUREN HALLIGAN
News Editor
and
JACKSON WANG
Executive Editor
Just steps from the Saint Rose campus, a 26-year-old man found dead in his Western Avenue apartment Wednesday as part of a burglary investigation may have been murdered, according to Albany police.
Police were investigating a reported broken window at 326 Western, one building east of the Saint Rose security department building, when they found a man who died from injuries sustained in a physical altercation. Albany Police spokesman Ptl. Steve Smith said he did not know if weapons were used in the alleged homicide.
The name of the victim has not been released while the police are still investigating.
A boarded up door to apartment nine of 326 Western Ave. Photo by Lauren Halligan.
Hours after the police responded and investigated the situation they arrested Oscar Valcarcel, 41, of Albany and charged him with burglary and petty larceny.
Valcarcel’s involvement in the death of the victim remains under investigation, Smith said. It has not been determined if Valcarcel will be charged with homicide. Valcarcel is the only suspect in custody and is being held at the Albany County Jail.
According to his Facebook page, Valcarcel is a student at the University at Albany studying religion, but officials at the university have no record of Valcarcel’s enrollment.
A forensics investigation unit determined that the death was a homicide.
Information was not released on who reported the broken window to police.
A basement door labeled as apartment nine on the east side of the building closest to Western Avenue was boarded with wood, as well as a basement window on the opposite side of the apartment complex facing the Saint Rose security office. No one responded when a reporter from The Chronicle and The Pine Hills blog rang the doorbell for the apartment.
The 326 Western Ave. building is owned by Hyjinks LLC, according to city records. Representatives of the company could not be reached for a comment.
326 Western Ave. is a 10-apartment complex feet away from the Saint Rose campus security headquarters. Photo by Lauren Halligan.
Two Saint Rose students are tenants inside the 10-unit apartment complex, said Ben Marvin, director of media relations for the College. One of those students, who declined to be identified, said that she only knew what information was relayed to all students through an email sent from Steve Stella, director of the Department of Safety and Security.
“The College has reached out to them to ensure that they’re okay and we will continue to work with them to help ensure their welfare,” Marvin said.
Stella was unaware that any Saint Rose students were residents in the building which is adjacent to the campus security headquarters until Friday afternoon.
Neighbor Sifat Anwar, a University at Albany student, was in his home at the time of the incident next door, but was unaware of any problems at the brick apartment building. He later learned that the incident occurred Wednesday morning.
Anwar, who has lived in the apartment for nearly a year, said that this semester has been strange, with two serious crimes occurring near his home. “After this I actually thought that maybe I should move next semester,” he said.
Police crime scene tape at 326 Western Ave. Photo by Lauren Halligan.
In October, Anthony Collins was arrested and charged with kidnapping and possession of a weapon after attempting to abduct a female college student at the corner of Western Avenue and O’Leary Boulevard, directly across from 326 Western Ave.
“I spoke to a few friends and they said this house in general is sketchy,” said Anwar, who believes Collins was a former resident at 326 Western Ave.
However, Smith, Stella, and the University of Albany police could not confirm whether or not Collins had lived at 326 Western Ave.
Stella said that he didn’t consider putting the college in lock down in connection with the event because Albany police said there was no clear and present danger to the University of Albany or Saint Rose communities.
While the Security Department is not required to report what happens off campus, especially because the incident occurred indoors, information was sent to the entire student body on Thursday evening. The University at Albany did the same.
Stella urged students to use the escort services and always stay aware of their surroundings to ensure their safety.
Albany Police Department asks anyone with information to call the detective division at 462-8039. -30-
